General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Supports regulation or ban on the sale of Kratom in Tennessee. -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Todd Gardenhire

SJR 346 signals Tennessee’s intent to regulate Kratom strictly or ban its sale, citing safety concerns and advocating heightened controls or prohibition.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

#generalassembly #statementofintentorposition

Purpose and intent

SJR 346 expresses the Tennessee Senate’s intent to support the strictest possible regulation of Kratom or an outright ban on its sale in Tennessee.

The resolution frames Kratom as a substance with opioid-like risks, including potential overdose and liver injury, that is currently legally purchasable by adults in Tennessee and often sold in convenient, unregulated retail settings.

It cites publicized fatalities and anecdotal concerns as justification for heightened regulatory action or prohibition.

Key provisions (substantive content)

As a Joint Resolution, SJR 346 does not in itself enact law or create new regulatory regimes; rather, it communicates the General Assembly’s position and intent.

The resolution calls for:

The strongest state regulation of Kratom, or
An outright ban on the sale of Kratom within Tennessee.

It highlights concerns about:

The variability of Kratom products (capsules, powder, liquid extract) and inconsistent labeling (ingredients, purity, dosing, drug interactions, warnings).
Documented adverse outcomes, including overdose deaths and liver failure, with specific reference to fatalities related to Kratom use.
The ease of access to Kratom in retail settings (including places like convenience stores), and criticisms of unregulated marketing claiming safety.

The resolution references ongoing regulatory trends in other states (ranging from regulation to outright bans) as context for Tennessee’s approach.

Affected parties and scope

Directly affects policymakers and regulatory authorities by signaling support for stricter controls or a prohibition.

Indirectly affects:

Kratom retailers, distributors, and online sellers operating in Tennessee.
Consumers in Tennessee who use or may consider using Kratom.
Public health and safety stakeholders concerned with substance regulation and overdose prevention.

No new statutory text is added to Code Tenn.; rather, it signals legislative intent to pursue stringent standards or a ban through future statutory action.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Action history indicates:

Introduced and passed First Consideration on March 31, 2025.
Passed Second Consideration on April 3, 2025, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
As a Joint Resolution, it typically moves through the usual committee process and, if approved, would reflect an official stance of the General Assembly, potentially guiding future regulatory proposals or legislative initiatives rather than immediately altering law.

Sponsor: Senator Gardenhire (with co-sponsor noted as Todd Gardenhire).

Practical implications

If pursued further and enacted as law, Tennessee could implement:

Strict regulatory controls on Kratom products (e.g., licensing, labeling, age restrictions, product testing requirements, dosage and ingredient disclosures).
A possible prohibition on sale or distribution of Kratom within the state.

The resolution aligns with public safety concerns and high-profile advocacy from families affected by Kratom-related incidents, signaling a willingness to prioritize regulation or prohibition in future legislative work.

Note: This document summarizes the bill’s stated purpose, potential regulatory direction, and procedural status based on the text and action history provided. It does not constitute legal advice or an assessment of the bill’s ultimate fate.

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