Tennessee House supports kratom regulation following death linked to substance

The Criminal Justice Subcommittee of the Tennessee State Legislature convened on March 19, 2025, to discuss a resolution urging strict regulation or an outright ban on the sale of kratom in the state. The meeting began with a reading of the resolution, which highlighted the growing concerns surrounding kratom, a substance that mimics opioids and is readily available in convenience stores across Tennessee.

The resolution noted that approximately 1.7 million Americans aged 12 and older use kratom to self-treat various medical conditions. However, it raised alarms about the lack of regulation, stating that kratom can lead to addiction and has been linked to over 2,000 fatal overdoses across the United States from 2021 to 2023. The substance is often referred to as "gas station heroin" and is sold in various forms without adequate information regarding its ingredients or potential dangers.

A poignant moment in the meeting came when Karen Davenport, a nurse practitioner and grieving mother, shared her personal tragedy. Her son, Matthew, died from a lethal interaction between prescribed medications and kratom. Davenport emphasized the ease with which kratom can be purchased, likening it to buying breath mints. She urged the committee to take action to prevent further tragedies, stating that no family should endure the pain her family has experienced.

Davenport's testimony underscored the urgency of the resolution, as she called for legislative support to regulate or ban kratom in Tennessee. She highlighted the lack of human trials to establish the safety and efficacy of kratom, as well as its classification by the FDA as a chemical concern similar to opioids.

The meeting concluded with a call for further consideration of the resolution, which aims to protect families and communities from the harmful effects of kratom. The subcommittee's discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need for regulatory measures to address the risks associated with this unregulated substance.