Subcommittee approves resolution urging strict regulation or ban on kratom after family testimony

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted to send House Joint Resolution 147 to the full judiciary committee. The resolution urges strict state regulation of kratom or an outright ban, citing reported health risks and deaths linked to the unregulated supplement.

Representative Hilton Haynes introduced the resolution and read its findings, which summarized concerns about kratom’s availability in convenience stores, lack of dosing and safety information, international regulatory actions and reported fatal interactions. The sponsor asked to hear testimony from Karen Davenport, who said her son, Matthew, died on March 18, 2024 from a lethal interaction between prescribed medications and kratom.

Davenport said she is a nurse practitioner and described the grief of losing a child; she said kratom is sold at convenience stores and marketed with claims of easing anxiety and pain while lacking human trials, dosing instructions or safety data. She urged the General Assembly to consider scheduling or banning kratom to prevent similar tragedies.

Members expressed sympathy and voiced support for working on a statutory response; Representative Powell and others said they would like to see further legislation rather than only a resolution. The clerk reported the committee vote in favor and HJR 147 will move to full judiciary for further consideration.

The resolution is nonbinding but signals the legislature’s intent to pursue stricter regulatory options or a ban on kratom in future legislation.