Tennessee Senate Passes Kratom Ban Bill; Legislation Heads to Governor's Desk for Final Approval

Why it matters

Tennessee joins Kansas, Ohio, and other states enacting statewide kratom bans amid FDA warnings and poison center reports. The legislation, named after a Chattanooga resident's death, could reshape market access for kratom users seeking pain management and opioid withdrawal support.

The big picture

HB 1649, known as Matthew Davenport's Law, passed the Tennessee House 78–9 on April 8 and the Senate 23–3 on April 16, reflecting broad bipartisan support. The bill makes kratom possession, manufacture, delivery and sale illegal statewide, effective July 1 if signed by Governor Bill Lee. The legislation was prompted by the death of Matthew Davenport, a Chattanooga resident whose mother attributed his death to kratom combined with prescription medications.

Key findings

• Tennessee Senate passed HB 1649 (Matthew Davenport's Law) with a 23–3 vote on April 16, 2026; Bill would make kratom possession, manufacture, delivery and sale illegal; takes effect July 1 if signed; Legislation named after a Chattanooga man whose death was attributed to kratom and prescription drug interaction; FDA cites kratom risks including seizures, liver toxicity and dependence

What they say

The FDA warns that kratom is not lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement and cannot be added to conventional foods. Kratom advocates argue for distinguishing traditional leaf from synthetic derivatives, citing centuries of traditional use in Southeast Asia without documented deaths.

Bottom line

Tennessee could become another state banning all kratom products outright, despite evidence that traditional leaf and synthetic 7-OH have different risk profiles.