Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, has gained widespread popularity in the United States due to its numerous health benefits. However, because of its ambiguous nature, Kratom is subject to different legal regulations by the federal and state governments. In this article by the Congdon-Law team, we will discuss the legality of kratom in Tennessee and address the question, “Is Kratom legal in Tennessee?”
Kratom Legislation in Tennessee: Legal History
According to a source, in 2014, many high-profile Tennessee officials passed a law, that made the sale of synthetic substances illegal in Tennessee. Since Kratom also falls in the same category, It creates a big confusion among the kratom lovers in Tennessee.
So where do we stand now? Is Kratom legal in Tennessee? Let’s figure it out!
In 2017 and 2018, the Senate of the state of Tennessee passed another bill that introduced a list of drugs and controlled substances. Unfortunately, the list included Kratom too. Many people thought it was a ban on using and selling Kratom, but this is not the case.
In 2017, the state’s Attorney General passed another statement confirming the legality of Kratom in Tennessee. The statement specified that Kratom can’t be used and traded as a synthetic product in the state of Tennessee. That means you can buy kratom legally in Tennessee only in its natural form.
Legality Of Kratom In Tennessee: Present Case
The legality of Kratom is still debatable in multiple states in the United States, but the government has placed certain restrictions on Kratom in Tennessee.
- The legal age to purchase kratom is a minimum of 21 years.
- Kratom products should be labeled with proper disclaimers.
- Pregnant women and nurses can’t purchase Kratom in Tennessee.
- Consumption of Kratom with alcohol and medicines is prohibited.
- Healthcare/Doctor prescription in case of any health issue for using kratom products.
These rules on Kratom change across the state under the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. In Tennessee, the government also introduced 2 new bills on Kratom later on. The House introduced the first bill, and the second as a Senate bill.
Here are the 2 bills introduced in 2021, and 2022:
- It was legalized for Kratom retailers and distributors only to sell Kratom products.
- The other rule was selling the Kratom in packages of 5 to 7 ounces. It was approximately 140 to 200 grams in quantity for the respective Kratom products.
However, if any retailers and distributors are found disobeying this law, then it is considered a Class A misdemeanor. This misdemeanor will result in a jail sentence of 11 months and 29 days. Or you are asked to pay a hefty fine of around $2500, or sometimes both.
This bill creates many problems for the user as it requires the purchase of bulk quantities and shipping. However, people felt relieved when the state canceled this bill on the packaging.
Legality of Kratom in Tennessee: What the Future Hold?
In the present landscape, there are no fresh waves about the legality of kratom in Tennessee. However, many parties are coming together, and fighting for the legality of kratom in the state of Tennessee.
It was found that the American Kratom Association and Botanical Education Alliance launched the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act laid down specific guidelines for using Kratom. They ensure that only products that have been tested and pure are kept in the stores.
This, in turn, means that Kratom is given long-term credibility and will ensure long-term legalization. In this, they have considered specific components for the purity of Kratom, which are:
- The registration of the Kratom products.
- Control of the quality of Kratom products.
- Testing compliance that is set on the Kratom products.
- Restriction on the age bar for the purchase of Kratom products.
- Labeling of the product, which includes a warning on the Kratom products.
These are the future predictions regarding the state’s law, but they can be altered at any time.
Where To Buy Kratom in Tennessee?
You can buy kratom in Tennessee both online and offline. But it is important to run a background check before opting out of any mode.
Purchasing Kratom Online in Tennessee
The online purchase of kratom in Tennessee has a slight edge over offline mode in terms of affordability. You may get kratom at a cheap price while ordering online. This way, you can avoid dealing with different people involved in the purchase. The other advantage of online purchasing is that a third party verifies and tests the product.
Purchasing Kratom Offline in Tennessee
Buying kratom from brick-and-mortar stores can be a negative experience at times. Research indicates that the risk of scams is higher in physical stores. You might encounter several vendors selling low-quality kratom at discounted prices. Therefore, we advise you to buy from a reputable, and certified retailer.
