Is MGM-16 Legal in Louisiana? (2026)

Instrument

Unlawful possession, production, or distribution of kratom; prohibited plant products; Schedule I miscellaneous

Source

https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=1429497

Retrieved

2026-11-08

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§966.1. Unlawful possession, production, or distribution of kratom

A. For purposes of this Section, "kratom" means any substance derived from the
leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree or any substance containing 7-hydroxymitragynine or
mitragynine.

B.(1) Manufacture; distribution. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly
produce, manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to produce, manufacture,
distribute, or dispense, kratom.

(2) Any person who violates Paragraph (1) of this Subsection for an amount of:

(a) An aggregate weight of less than five hundred grams, shall be fined not more than
fifty thousand dollars, imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor
more than three years, or both.

(b) An aggregate weight of five hundred grams or more, shall be fined not more than
fifty thousand dollars, imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor
more than five years, or both.

C. Possession. It is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess
kratom. Any person who violates this Subsection shall be punished as follows:

(1) On a conviction wherein the offender possesses twenty grams or less, the offender
shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

(2) On a first conviction, wherein the offender possesses more than twenty grams, the
offender shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned in the parish jail for
not more than six months, or both.

(3) On a second or any subsequent conviction, wherein the offender possesses more
than twenty grams, the offender shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars,
imprisoned in the parish jail for not more than six months, or both.

Acts 2025, No. 41, §1.

§989.2. Unlawful production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of prohibited plant
products; exceptions

A.(1) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to produce,
manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to produce, manufacture, or distribute a
material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains a prohibited plant and which
meets any of the following criteria:

(a) It is intended to be placed in the oral or nasal cavity.

(b) It is prepared in such a manner as to be suitable for smoking in a pipe or cigarette,
or other device.

(c) It is to be burned and inhaled or exhaled in any manner or in any form.

(2) Whoever violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be sentenced to a term
of imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than five years and may, in addition,
be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars.

B.(1) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess
material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains a prohibited plant and which is
intended to be placed in the oral or nasal cavity, is prepared in such a manner as to be
suitable for smoking in a pipe or cigarette, or is to be burned and inhaled or exhaled in any
manner or in any form.

(2) Any person who violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be fined not more
than five hundred dollars, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

C. For the purposes of this Section:

(1) "Distribute" means to sell, barter, trade, furnish, supply, or otherwise transfer in
exchange for anything of value a material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains
a prohibited plant.

(2) “Homeopathic drug” means any drug labeled as being homeopathic which is
listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, an addendum to it, or its
supplements. The potencies of homeopathic drugs are specified in terms of dilution. 
Homeopathic drug products must contain diluents commonly used in homeopathic
pharmaceutics. Drug products containing homeopathic ingredients in combination with non-homeopathic active ingredients are not homeopathic drug products.

(3) “Manufacture” means the production, preparation, propagation, compounding,
or processing of a material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains a prohibited
plant either directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of natural origin, or
independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and
chemical synthesis. Manufacturer includes any person who packages, repackages, or labels
any container holding a material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains a 
prohibited plant.

(4) “Production” includes the manufacture, planting, cultivation, growing, or
harvesting of a prohibited plant.

(5) "Prohibited plant" means any combination of any of the parts, leaves, stems,
stalks, seeds, materials, compounds, salts, derivatives, mixtures, preparations, or any resin
extracted from any part of the following plants:

(a) Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort).

(b) Canavalia rosea (Bay bean).

(c) Leonotis leonurus (Lion's tail).

(d) Leonotis nepetifolia (Lion's ear).

(e) Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed).

(f) Mitragyna speciosa.

(g) Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred Lotus).

(h) Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lotus, Egyptian Lotus).

(i) Pedicularis densiflora (Indian warrior).

(j) Salvia divinorum.

(k) Scutellaria nana (Dwarf skullcap).

(l) Turnera diffusa (Damiana).

(m) Zornia latifolia.

D. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any dosage form which is legally
obtainable from a retail establishment without a prescription and is recognized by the United
States Food and Drug Administration as a homeopathic drug.

E. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the possession, planting,
cultivation, growing, or harvesting of a prohibited plant strictly for aesthetic, landscaping,
or decorative purposes.

F. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any dosage form which is labeled
as a dietary supplement and is manufactured in compliance with the requirements of sections
402(g)(2), 415, and 761 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 342(g)(2),
350d, and 379aa-1).

Acts 2010, No. 565, §1; Acts 2015, No. 373, §1, eff. July 1, 2015; Acts 2018, No.
206, §4; Acts 2025, No. 41, §1.

G. Miscellaneous. Unless specifically excepted or contained within a
pharmaceutical product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or
unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which
contains any quantity of the following substances, including their salts, isomers, or salts
of isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, or salts of isomers is possible
within the specific chemical designation:

(1) 7-hydroxymitragynine

(2) Mitragynine

(3) Tianeptine

Instrument

Added Controlled Dangerous Substances

Source

https://www.ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Rulemaking/er/LAC-46-LIII.Added-Controlled-Dangerous-Substance.ER---2026-09.pdf

Retrieved

2026-10-29

Fingerprint

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3. Methyl (E)-2-((2 S, 3 S, 7 aS, 12 aR, 12b S)-3-ethyl-9-
fluoro-7 a -hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7,7 a, 12,12 a, 12 b
-decahydroindolo[2,3-  a]quinolizin-2-yl)-3-methoxyacrylate
(commonly  known  as  MGM-16;  also  known  as  9-fluoro-
dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine;
10-fluoro-dihydro-7-
hydroxymitragynine (depending on numbering convention)).
listed
in
Subsection  A  of
internationally
standardized,  compounds  of  the  listed  structures,  regardless
of numerical designation of atomic positions, are covered and
included.

B.  Since  nomenclature  of

this  Section  are  not

the  substances

or

AUTHORITY NOTE:  Promulgated  in  accordance  with  R.S.

40:962, R.S. 40:963, and R.S. 49:962.

HISTORICAL NOTE:  Promulgated  by

the  Department  of

Health, Office of Public Health, LR 52:

2610#001

Bruce D. Greenstein
Secretary

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

Department of Health
Office of Public Health

Added Controlled Dangerous Substances
(LAC 46:LIII.2704)

The  Department  of  Health,  Office  of  Public  Health
(LDH/OPH), pursuant to the rulemaking authority granted to
the Secretary by R.S. 40:962(C) and (H), hereby adopts the
following Emergency Rule for the protection of public health.
This  rule  is  being  promulgated  in  accordance  with  the
Administrative  Procedure  Act  (R.S.  49:950,  et  seq.),
particularly  R.S.  49:962,  and  shall  remain  in  effect  for  the
maximum period allowed under the Act or until adoption of a
final Rule, whichever occurs first.

Based on the criteria, factors, and guidance set forth in R.S.
40:962(C) and 40:963, the secretary, under this rulemaking,
has determined that the substances listed below have a high
potential  for  abuse  and  should  be  scheduled  as  controlled
dangerous substances under Schedule I to avoid an imminent
peril to the public health, safety, or welfare. In reaching the
decision to designate the substances listed below as controlled
dangerous  substances  under  Schedule  I,  the  secretary  has
considered the criteria set forth in R.S. 40:963 and the specific
factors  listed  therein.  The  secretary  has  determined  that
Schedule I is the most appropriate due to his findings that the
substances added herein have a high potential for abuse, the
substances  have  no  currently  accepted  medical  use  for
treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted
safety for use of the substances under medical supervision. In
determining that the substances poses an imminent peril to the
public  health,  safety,  or  welfare,  such  that  they  should  be
added  to  Schedule  I  by  emergency  rule,  the  secretary  has
considered the factors set forth in R.S. 40:962(C)(4), (5), and
(6).

Title 46
PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL
STANDARDS
Part LIII.  Pharmacists

Chapter 27.  Controlled Dangerous Substances
Subchapter A.  General Provisions
§2704.  Added Controlled Dangerous Substances

A.  Unless  specifically  excepted  or  contained  within  a
pharmaceutical product approved by the United States Food
and Drug Administration, the following drugs or substances,
including any possible isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts
of  isomers,  esters,  and  ethers  thereof,  and  any  material,
compound,  mixture,  or  preparation  which  contains  any
quantity  thereof,  are  added  to  Schedule  I  of  the  Louisiana
Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, R.S. 40:961
et seq.:

1. Methyl (E)-2-((1′ S, 6′ S, 7′S)-6′-ethyl-4-methoxy-3-
oxo-3′,5′,6′,7′,8′,8  a  ′-hexahydro-2′  H  -spiro[indoline-2,1′-
indolizine]-7′-yl)-3-methoxyacrylate  (commonly  known  as
mitragynine pseudoindoxyl).

2. Methyl (E)-2-((2 S, 3 S, 7 aS, 12 aR, 12 bS)-3-ethyl-7
a  -hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7,7  a,  12,12  a,  12  b  -
decahydroindolo[2,3-  a]quinolizin-2-yl)-3-methoxyacrylate
(commonly  known  as  MGM-15;  also  known  as  dihydro-7-
hydroxymitragynine).

Instrument

Added Controlled Dangerous Substances

Source

https://www.doa.la.gov/media/21zgm5ft/2610emr001.docx

Retrieved

2026-11-02

Fingerprint

084249498b14f5ce

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

Department of Health
Office of Public Health
Added Controlled Dangerous Substances (LAC 46:LIII.2704)
The Department of Health, Office of Public Health (LDH/OPH), pursuant to the rulemaking authority granted to the Secretary by R.S. 40:962(C) and (H), hereby adopts the following Emergency Rule for the protection of public health. This rule is being promulgated in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (R.S. 49:950, et seq.), particularly R.S. 49:962, and shall remain in effect for the maximum period allowed under the Act or until adoption of a final Rule, whichever occurs first.
Based on the criteria, factors, and guidance set forth in R.S. 40:962(C) and 40:963, the secretary, under this rulemaking, has determined that the substances listed below have a high potential for abuse and should be scheduled as controlled dangerous substances under Schedule I to avoid an imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare. In reaching the decision to designate the substances listed below as controlled dangerous substances under Schedule I, the secretary has considered the criteria set forth in R.S. 40:963 and the specific factors listed therein. The secretary has determined that Schedule I is the most appropriate due to his findings that the substances added herein have a high potential for abuse, the substances have no currently accepted medical use for treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the substances under medical supervision. In determining that the substances poses an imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare, such that they should be added to Schedule I by emergency rule, the secretary has considered the factors set forth in R.S. 40:962(C)(4), (5), and (6).
Title 46
PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS
Part LIII.  Pharmacists
Chapter 27.Controlled Dangerous Substances
Subchapter A.General Provisions
§2704.Added Controlled Dangerous Substances
A. Unless specifically excepted or contained within a pharmaceutical product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the following drugs or substances, including any possible isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers thereof, and any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity thereof, are added to Schedule I of the Louisiana Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, R.S. 40:961 et seq.:
1. Methyl (E)-2-((1′ S, 6′ S, 7′S)-6′-ethyl-4-methoxy-3-oxo-3′,5′,6′,7′,8′,8 a ′-hexahydro-2′ H -spiro[indoline-2,1′-indolizine]-7′-yl)-3-methoxyacrylate (commonly known as mitragynine pseudoindoxyl).
2. Methyl (E)-2-((2 S, 3 S, 7 aS, 12 aR, 12 bS)-3-ethyl-7 a -hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7,7 a, 12,12 a, 12 b -decahydroindolo[2,3- a]quinolizin-2-yl)-3-methoxyacrylate (commonly known as MGM-15; also known as dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine).
3. Methyl (E)-2-((2 S, 3 S, 7 aS, 12 aR, 12b S)-3-ethyl-9-fluoro-7 a -hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7,7 a, 12,12 a, 12 b -decahydroindolo[2,3- a]quinolizin-2-yl)-3-methoxyacrylate (commonly known as MGM-16; also known as 9-fluoro-dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine; or 10-fluoro-dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine (depending on numbering convention)). 
B. Since nomenclature of the substances listed in Subsection A of this Section are not internationally standardized, compounds of the listed structures, regardless of numerical designation of atomic positions, are covered and included.
AUTHORITY NOTE:Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:962, R.S. 40:963, and R.S. 49:962.
HISTORICAL NOTE:Promulgated by the Department of Health, Office of Public Health, LR 52:

Bruce D. Greenstein
Secretary
2610#001