Tennessee Kratom Ban: Calls Needed Now — Finance Subcommittee Hearing Tomorrow
TENNESSEE KRATOM BAN: CALLS NEEDED NOW — FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING TOMORROW
Tennessee is at a critical moment. HB 1649 is headed for a Finance Subcommittee hearing tomorrow, March 25, and calls from constituents today could make the difference. This is the most urgent window yet to stop the Tennessee kratom ban. Here's what you need to do right now.
Take Action Now
There is no substitute for a phone call. Contact every member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee today and deliver this message:
"Please oppose any kratom ban and support responsible regulation that protects consumers without criminalizing responsible adults. Regulate kratom — don't ban it."
Share your personal story. Lawmakers remember real people, not form letters.
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📅 Finance Subcommittee Hearing: Wednesday, March 25
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🔗 Full action toolkit: protectkratom.org/tenn
Senate Finance Subcommittee — Call and Email Now
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Chair Sen. Todd Gardenhire, District 10 — (615) 741-6682 | sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
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Vice Chair Sen. Kerry Roberts, District 23 — (615) 741-4499 | sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
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2nd Vice Chair Sen. Paul Rose, District 32 — (615) 741-1967 | sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov
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Sen. Bobby Harshbarger, District 4 — (615) 741-5761 | sen.bobby.harshbarger@capitol.tn.gov
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Sen. Sara Kyle, District 30 — (615) 741-4167 | sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov
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Sen. John Stevens, District 24 — (615) 741-4576 | sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
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Sen. Dawn White, District 13 — (615) 741-6853 | sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov
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Sen. Brent Taylor, District 31 — (615) 741-3036 | sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov
What HB 1649 Would Do
HB 1649 would criminalize kratom in Tennessee with no distinction between natural kratom leaf and the synthetic, adulterated concentrates that federal regulators have actually identified as the real public health concern. Possession would become a Class A misdemeanor, and distribution penalties would range from Class C to Class B felonies depending on the circumstances.
This bill would undo the progress Tennessee has already made. The state passed a law in 2018 explicitly legalizing natural kratom for adults over 21 with labeling requirements and a ban on synthetic alkaloids. HB 1649 would tear all of that down and replace it with blanket criminalization.
The FDA has drawn a clear line between natural kratom and synthetic 7-OH products, identifying enhanced 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) concentrates as the real concern, not natural kratom leaf. The AHPA has similarly warned against conflating 7-OH with natural kratom. As research discussed on the Huberman Lab podcast and confirmed by an FDA-supervised dosage study makes clear, these are fundamentally different products. A blanket ban ignores all of that and punishes the wrong people.
The Right Path Forward
Tennessee already has a better option available. HB 2594, the Tennessee Kratom Consumer Protection Act, would keep natural kratom legal and regulated while targeting the synthetic and adulterated products that pose real risks. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act framework has been adopted in 18 states and is the proven approach for protecting consumers without criminalization.
The subcommittee members listed above need to hear from Tennessee consumers today. Calls carry the most weight. Emails follow. Personal stories make the difference.
The Bigger Picture
States that have chosen regulation over prohibition have consistently produced better outcomes for consumers and public health alike. Tennessee has a clear choice between criminalizing responsible adults or protecting them through smart regulation. Make sure the Finance Subcommittee hears which side you are on before tomorrow's hearing.
The window is narrow. Make the calls today.
