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Tennessee House approves bill to ban kratom in all forms, dubbing it 'Matthew Davenport's Law'
Summary
The Tennessee House passed House Bill 1649 to ban kratom in all forms, imposing criminal penalties, expanding toxicology testing, and requiring workplace and medical testing changes; supporters cited addiction and fatality risks while opponents urged narrower regulation for nonproblematic forms.
Chairlady Hal Haines presented House Bill 1649 on the House floor, calling for a statewide ban on kratom in all forms and describing the measure as a package of public-safety steps "to dismantle the current synthetic industry." "Today I'm presenting House Bill 1649 to ban kratom in all forms in Tennessee," she said, and noted the act would be known as Matthew Davenport's Law and take effect July 1, 2026.
The bill prohibits sale and distribution of kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine and their derivatives, establishes criminal penalties, requires county medical examiners to test for kratom in suspected overdose autopsies, expands toxicology testing in medical settings, directs the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to promulgate rules to treat kratom as a drug in workplace policies, and strengthens oversight aimed at disrupting the synthetic-kratom supply chain.
Supporters described kratom as an emerging public-health threat. Representative Rudd said his constituent experiences convinced him kratom is "an extremely dangerous drug" and urged passage to protect communities. Representative Williams recounted helping a young man obtain long-term treatment and said the substance can be more difficult to treat than heroin.
Opponents and cautious members urged a narrower approach. Representative Johnson said committee testimony described natural kratom as "not problematic" in some forms and urged targeting the specific synthetic analogs, not a blanket ban. Representative Lynn and others said many constituents favor preserving access to natural forms they use for harm reduction and social supports.
After floor debate, the House voted to pass House Bill 1649 (Ayes 78, Nays 8). The bill’s provisions include increased toxicology testing and new enforcement authority; the vote record shows the bill received a constitutional majority and was tabled as the motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
The House debate combined public-health framing from medical and law-enforcement proponents with constituent-focused objections about treatment and community supports. With passage in the House, the bill is positioned to move forward under the caption Matthew Davenport's Law with an effective date specified in the measure.
