Tennessee has officially passed a full ban on kratom, the Southeast Asian plant-based supplement that has sparked growing debate over its safety, addictive potential, and links to overdose deaths.
Lawmakers backed the measure after weeks of committee hearings, making Tennessee one of roughly eight states to ban kratom in all forms, including its natural state.
Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, R-East Brainerd, led the legislation. She said kratom contains compounds that activate opioid receptors in the brain, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, and is often referred to as “gas station heroin” due to its availability in convenience stores and vape shops.
“This bill addresses the growing public health and safety concern surrounding kratom, often marketed as a natural supplement,” Helton-Haynes said. “But natural does not mean safe.”
The law is named Matthew’s Law, in honor of Matthew Davenport, a 27-year-old Chattanooga man who died after kratom interacted with his prescription medication. His mother, Karen Davenport, worked with lawmakers to push the bill forward.
“I never heard of kratom until the day we lost him,” she said. “Like many families, we didn’t realize the risk because kratom is often marketed as a safe, natural product.” She also said kratom is linked to more than 250 known drug interactions that can turn fatal.
Supporters of kratom argue the plant can help manage pain and assist people trying to move away from stronger opioids. A circulating petition includes testimonials from Tennessee users who say they rely on it for conditions like arthritis, back pain, and sciatica.
The debate has intensified with the rise of concentrated kratom extract known as 7-OH. Some experts say it is significantly more potent than morphine and has become widely available in gas stations and supplement shops.
Neither the FDA nor the CDC has approved kratom for medical use, and both agencies have issued warnings about its risks.
The bill now heads to the governor’s desk and is set to take effect July 1.
