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Council asks state to ban synthetic kratom sales in Tennessee after public concerns; amendment passes unanimously
Summary
Following public comment, Jackson City Council voted unanimously to forward a resolution to the state legislature requesting a ban on the sale of synthetic kratom in Tennessee; council amended the original text to specify synthetic products rather than the natural plant.
Jackson City Council voted 8‑0 to send a resolution to the Tennessee General Assembly requesting a ban on the sale of synthetic kratom in the state after residents raised concerns about packaged, altered kratom products sold at convenience stores and vape shops.
Councilman Stobel introduced the item and said the resolution responds to media reports and constituent concerns that some products marketed as kratom are adulterated and sold in youth‑oriented packaging. “There have been 2,000 deaths associated with this nationwide,” Councilman Stobel said during the council discussion, arguing the city should ask the state to consider criminalizing or restricting the synthetic products.
John Schenholzer, who identified himself as advocacy director for American Veterans for Kratom Safe and a kratom consumer, urged the city not to ban the natural plant product and asked the council to “pause the resolution” while the plant’s properties and the differences between natural and adulterated products are better understood. During public comment Schenholzer said, “The natural kratom plant itself has already been proven to be very safe,” and distinguished between raw leaf products and synthetically refined or adulterated mixes he said are dangerous.
Council members discussed that the state legislature had previously considered kratom measures and that county and other local governments have pursued companion resolutions. After an amendment was proposed and seconded, the council changed the resolution language to request a state ban specifically on the sale of synthetic kratom rather than a general ban on the plant. The amendment passed 8‑0, and the amended resolution passed 8‑0.
Council members and staff noted that the city lacks authority to ban kratom statewide and that a local resolution’s purpose is to urge state action. Staff and speakers said the principal concern for the resolution is synthetic or adulterated kratom products sold in convenience stores, which proponents described as resembling “sour candy” packaging and potentially appealing to young people.
The council did not adopt an ordinance; it voted only to forward the amended resolution to state legislators.
