Is 9-OH (9-hydroxycorynantheidine) Legal in Maryland? (2026)

Gray area

As of November 12, 2026, 9-OH (9-hydroxycorynantheidine) is in a legal gray area (sold in practice, exposed to an interpretive ban theory) in Maryland. Kratom act bars synthetically derived kratom alkaloids, but 'kratom product' is defined by leaf content (Md. Health-Gen. 21-2E-01, 21-2E-02). Controlling source: Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-2E-02 (kratom act; synthetic alkaloid bar, 2% 7-OH cap, 21+).

Verified November 12, 2026 (llm review) · confidence: under review

Is 9-OH Legal? Every state and federal law

WatchNo pending legislation, deadlines or enforcement actions on file for 9-OH in Maryland.
Rule type
permanent
Tier
Under review
Effective
2024-10-01

What the record says

Maryland's kratom act (Health-General Title 21, Subtitle 2E) bars a retailer from preparing, distributing, selling or exposing for sale a kratom product containing a synthetic alkaloid, including synthetic mitragynine, synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine or any other synthetically derived compound of the kratom plant (21-2E-02(b)(1)(iv)), and bars sale of a kratom product to anyone under 21 (21-2E-02(c)). The ban is express, but it attaches only to a 'kratom product', which 21-2E-01(b) defines by leaf content: a product marketed for human consumption containing any part of the leaf of Mitragyna speciosa. A semi-synthetic 9-OH tablet or liquid made by O-demethylating mitragynine is plainly a synthetically derived compound of the kratom plant, but whether a product made from an isolated, chemically converted alkaloid 'contains any part of the leaf' is a definitional step the text does not settle; no Maryland ruling or agency statement on that point was located. If the product is a kratom product, the synthetic-alkaloid bar reaches it; if it is not, Subtitle 2E does not reach it at all. 21-2E-02(a)(2)(ii) also bars a kratom product not recognized as a dietary ingredient or approved drug by FDA. 2026 Md. Laws ch. 355 (SB 820), effective 2026-07-01, makes a kratom product that does not comply with Subtitle 2E an unauthorized consumable product and authorizes Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission seizure. 9-OH is not named in Criminal Law 5-402; Schedule I there adopts federal Schedule I designations unless the Department objects (5-402(a)(3), 5-202(f)), which does not capture 9-OH because 9-OH is not federally scheduled. 5-402(b) treats a controlled dangerous substance analogue intended for human consumption as Schedule I; the federally listed MGM-15, MGM-16 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl are possible anchors, so analog reach is interpretive. Trace 7-OH: a kratom product may not exceed 2% 7-OH in the alkaloid fraction and must label mitragynine and 7-OH amounts. 9-OH is not federally scheduled; federal Analogue Act and FDA exposure are interpretive.

Controlling language, verbatim

"Kratom product" means a product marketed for human consumption containing any part of the leaf of the plant Mitragyna speciosa. ... (b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a retailer may not prepare, distribute, sell, or expose for sale any of the following: ... (iv) A kratom product containing a synthetic alkaloid, including synthetic mitragynine, synthetic 7–hydroxymitragynine, or any other synthetically derived compound of the kratom plant; or ... (c) A retailer may not distribute, sell, or expose for sale a kratom product to an individual under the age of 21 years.

Source of excerpt

Citations

  1. Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-2E-02 (kratom act; synthetic alkaloid bar, 2% 7-OH cap, 21+) (Maryland General Assembly, 2026-11-08) PRIMARYOFFICIAL
  2. Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-2E-01 (definition of kratom product) (Maryland General Assembly, 2026-11-08)OFFICIAL
  3. Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-2E-03 (advertising and marketing to minors) (Maryland General Assembly, 2026-11-08)OFFICIAL
  4. 2026 Md. Laws ch. 355 (SB 820), unauthorized consumable products; ATCC enforcement (Maryland General Assembly, 2026-11-08)OFFICIAL
  5. Md. Code, Crim. Law 5-402 (Schedule I; federal designations; analogue) (Maryland General Assembly, 2026-11-08)OFFICIAL
  6. Md. Code, Crim. Law 5-202(f) (federal designation; Department objection) (Maryland General Assembly, 2026-11-08)OFFICIAL

Where 9-OH (9-hydroxycorynantheidine) stands across the country

LegalRestrictedGray areaIllegalNot yet verified

Among Maryland's 5 neighbors, Delaware is restricted; District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and Virginia are gray area; West Virginia is legal.

Open the interactive map · Every compound in Maryland · Where 9-OH is banned · Embed this map

Federal posture

Not federally scheduled. Not federally scheduled: absent from 21 CFR 1308.11 and every DEA kratom-alkaloid order and notice; Analogue Act exposure is interpretive Federal detail

Verbatim law on file for Maryland

4 instruments on file for this compound’s framework in Maryland; 6 of 6 citations above are official sources. Each text carries its source and a fingerprint that changes when the law does.

Md. Code, Crim. Law 5-202 · Department authority; federal designation similarly controlled unless the Department objectsOFFICIAL
Instrument
Department authority; federal designation similarly controlled unless the Department objects
Source
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Statute_Web/gcr/5-202.pdf
Retrieved
2026-10-29
Fingerprint
a5fafa86e753a680
§5–202.

(a)

The Department shall control all substances listed in Subtitle 4 of this

title.

(b)

In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the Department
may add a substance as a controlled dangerous substance on its own initiative or on
the petition of an interested party.

(c)

To  determine  whether  to  add  a  substance  as  a  controlled  dangerous

substance, the Department shall consider:

(1)

the actual or relative potential for abuse of the substance;

(2)

if known, scientific evidence of the pharmacological effect of the

substance;

(3)

the state of current scientific knowledge regarding the substance;

(4)

the history and current pattern of abuse of the substance;

(5)

the scope, duration, and significance of abuse of the substance;

(6)

any risk that the substance poses to the public health;

(7)
dependence; and

the ability of the substance to cause psychological or physiological

(8)  whether the substance is an immediate precursor of a controlled

dangerous substance.

(d)

After considering the factors listed in subsection (c) of this section, the

Department shall:

(1)  make findings with respect to those factors; and

(2)

issue an order  to  control  the  substance if the  Department  finds

that the substance has a potential for abuse.

- 1 -

(e)

If the Department designates a substance as an immediate precursor of
a controlled dangerous substance, a substance that is a precursor of the immediate
precursor is not subject to control solely because it is a precursor of the immediate
precursor.

(f)

(1)

A  new  substance  that  is  designated  as  a  controlled  substance
under federal law is a similarly controlled dangerous substance under this title unless
the Department objects to the inclusion.

(2)

If  the  Department  objects,  it  shall  publish  the  reasons  for  the

objection and give each interested party an opportunity to be heard.

(3)

After  the  hearing,  the  Department  shall  publish  its  decision,

which is final.

(4)

An action for judicial review of a final decision made in accordance

with this section does not stay the effect of the decision.

(g)

The Department annually shall update and republish a schedule.
Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-2E-01 and 21-2E-02 · Kratom products: definitions; prohibited salesOFFICIAL
Instrument
Kratom products: definitions; prohibited sales
Source
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Statute_Web/ghg/21-2E-02.pdf
Retrieved
2026-11-08
Fingerprint
21f6cef48237dbac
§21–2E–01.
(a)

In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)
"Kratom product" means a product marketed for human consumption
containing any part of the leaf of the plant Mitragyna speciosa.
(c)

(1)

“Retailer” means a person that:
(i)

Sells, prepares, or maintains kratom products; or

(ii)
Advertises, represents, or holds itself out as selling,
preparing, or maintaining kratom products.
(2)
“Retailer” includes a manufacturer, wholesaler, store, restaurant,
hotel, catering facility, camp, bakery, delicatessen, supermarket, grocery store,
convenience store, gas station, or food or drink company.

§21–2E–02.
(a)
(1)
A retailer that prepares, distributes, sells, or exposes for sale a
kratom product shall disclose on the product label the factual basis on which the
representation is made.
(2)
A retailer may not prepare, distribute, sell, or expose for sale a
kratom product that:
(i)
Does not comply with the disclosure
established under paragraph (1) of this subsection; or

requirement

(ii)
Has not been recognized as a dietary ingredient or
approved drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
(b)
(1)
Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a retailer may not
prepare, distribute, sell, or expose for sale any of the following:
(i)
A kratom product that is adulterated with a dangerous
substance other than kratom;
(ii)
A kratom product that is contaminated with a dangerous
substance other than kratom;
(iii) A kratom product containing a level of 7–
hydroxymitragynine in the alkaloid fraction that is greater than 2% of the alkaloid
composition of the product;
(iv) A kratom product containing a synthetic alkaloid,
including synthetic mitragynine, synthetic 7–hydroxymitragynine, or any other
synthetically derived compound of the kratom plant; or
(v)
A product containing kratom that does not include on its
package or label the amount of mitragynine and 7–hydroxymitragynine contained in
the product.
(2)
(i)
For the purpose of paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, a
kratom product is adulterated with a dangerous substance other than kratom if:

-1-

1.
The kratom product is mixed or packed with a
substance other than kratom; and
2.
That substance affects the quality or strength of the
kratom product to a degree as to render the kratom product injurious to a consumer.
(ii)
For the purpose of paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, a
kratom product is contaminated with a dangerous substance other than kratom if the
kratom product contains a poisonous or otherwise deleterious ingredient other than
kratom, including a drug that is designated as a controlled dangerous substance
under Title 5 of the Criminal Law Article.
(c)
A retailer may not distribute, sell, or expose for sale a kratom product
to an individual under the age of 21 years.
(d)
In a prosecution for a violation of this section, it is a defense that the
defendant relied in good faith on the representations of a manufacturer, processor,
packer, or distributor of a kratom product.
(e)
A retailer that violates subsection (a)(1) of this section is subject to a
civil penalty not exceeding:
(1)

$1,000 for a first violation; and

(2)

$2,000 for each subsequent violation.

(f)
A retailer that violates subsection (a)(2), (b), or (c) of this section is guilty
of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000,
imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.
(g)
In addition to any other penalties specified in this section, a retailer who
violates this section is liable for any civil damages sustained by the individual
resulting from the violation.
Md. Code, Health-Gen. 21-2E-02 · Kratom products: disclosure, prohibited products, age 21OFFICIAL
Instrument
Kratom products: disclosure, prohibited products, age 21
Source
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Statute_Web/ghg/21-2E-02.pdf
Retrieved
2026-10-29
Fingerprint
6171ee80a1c05991
§21–2E–02.

(a)

(1)

A retailer  that  prepares, distributes,  sells,  or  exposes for  sale a
kratom  product  shall  disclose  on  the  product  label  the  factual  basis  on  which  the
representation is made.

(2)

A retailer may not  prepare, distribute, sell, or expose for  sale a

kratom product that:

established under paragraph (1) of this subsection; or

(i)

Does  not  comply  with  the  disclosure  requirement

approved drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

(ii)  Has  not  been  recognized  as  a  dietary  ingredient  or

(b)

(1)

Subject  to  paragraph  (2)  of  this  subsection,  a  retailer  may  not

prepare, distribute, sell, or expose for sale any of the following:

substance other than kratom;

(i)

A  kratom  product  that  is  adulterated  with  a  dangerous

substance other than kratom;

(ii)  A kratom product that is contaminated with a dangerous

7–
hydroxymitragynine in the alkaloid fraction that is greater than 2% of the alkaloid
composition of the product;

(iii)  A  kratom  product

containing

level

of

a

(iv)  A  kratom  product  containing  a  synthetic  alkaloid,
including  synthetic  mitragynine,  synthetic  7–hydroxymitragynine,  or  any  other
synthetically derived compound of the kratom plant; or

A product  containing kratom that does not include on its
package or label the amount of mitragynine and 7–hydroxymitragynine contained in
the product.

(v)

(2)

(i)

For  the  purpose  of  paragraph  (1)(i)  of  this  subsection,  a

kratom product is adulterated with a dangerous substance other than kratom if:

- 1 -

substance other than kratom; and

1.

The  kratom  product  is  mixed  or  packed  with  a

That substance affects the quality or strength of the
kratom product to a degree as to render the kratom product injurious to a consumer.

2.

(ii)

For  the  purpose  of  paragraph  (1)(ii)  of  this  subsection,  a
kratom product is contaminated with a dangerous substance other than kratom if the
kratom product contains a poisonous or otherwise deleterious ingredient other than
kratom,  including  a  drug  that  is  designated  as  a  controlled  dangerous  substance
under Title 5 of the Criminal Law Article.

(c)

A retailer may not distribute, sell, or expose for sale a kratom product

to an individual under the age of 21 years.

(d)

In a prosecution for a violation of this section, it is a defense that the
defendant relied in good faith on the representations of a manufacturer, processor,
packer, or distributor of a kratom product.

(e)

A  retailer  that  violates  subsection  (a)(1)  of  this  section  is  subject  to  a

civil penalty not exceeding:

(1)

$1,000 for a first violation; and

(2)

$2,000 for each subsequent violation.

(f)

A retailer that violates subsection (a)(2), (b), or (c) of this section is guilty
of  a  misdemeanor  and  on  conviction  is  subject  to  a  fine  not  exceeding  $5,000,
imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.

(g)

In addition to any other penalties specified in this section, a retailer who
violates  this  section  is  liable  for  any  civil  damages  sustained  by  the  individual
resulting from the violation.
Md. Code, Health-Gen. Sec. 21-2D-01 to -04 (Kratom Consumer Protection Act) · MD KCPA - age 21, 2% 7-OH cap, synthetic ban, labelingOFFICIAL
Instrument
MD KCPA - age 21, 2% 7-OH cap, synthetic ban, labeling
Source
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2024rs/Chapters_noln/CH_748_hb1229t.pdf
Retrieved
2026-07-07
Fingerprint
493802ff1f346a17
21-2D-01. (B) "Kratom product" means a food product or dietary ingredient product marketed for human consumption containing any part of the leaf of the plant Mitragyna speciosa. (C) “Retailer” means a person that sells/prepares/maintains kratom products (incl. manufacturer, wholesaler, store, convenience store, gas station, etc.).
21-2D-02. (A) A retailer ... shall disclose on the product label the factual basis on which the representation [as kratom] is made ... (B)(1) A retailer may not prepare, distribute, sell, or expose for sale: (I) a kratom product adulterated with a dangerous substance other than kratom; (II) contaminated ...; (III) A kratom product containing a level of 7-hydroxymitragynine in the alkaloid fraction that is greater than 2% of the alkaloid composition of the product; (IV) A kratom product containing a synthetic alkaloid, including synthetic mitragynine, synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, or any other synthetically derived compound of the kratom plant; or (V) a product containing kratom that does not include on its package or label the amount of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine ... (C) A retailer may not distribute, sell, or expose for sale a kratom product to an individual under the age of 21 years. (E) civil penalty up to $1,000/$2,000. (F) misdemeanor fine up to $5,000, up to 90 days, or both.

9-OH (9-hydroxycorynantheidine) in neighboring states

9-OH in 45 other states

Closest to 9-OH in Maryland

36 other compounds in Maryland

Cite this page

Compound Analytics. “Is 9-OH Legal in Maryland? Updated Nov 2026.” Compound Laws, https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/9-oh/maryland/. Accessed November 13, 2026.

Compound Laws, published by Compound Analytics, reports the record: statutes verbatim, official citations, enforcement facts and verification dates. Nothing here is legal advice and nothing here describes how to get around a law. A jurisdiction with no verified row is reported as not yet verified, never as legal. Found an error? Corrections policy.

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