Is Kratom Legal In Tennessee? [2023 Update]

I am a kratom lover who visits the Volunteer State on occasion. I am curious about the legislation, how it impacts the market, and the differences between states. That makes me well-placed to bring you the vital details about the legality of kratom in Tennessee!

Keep reading to discover everything you need to know regarding Tennessee kratom law in 2023. 

Kratom is legal in Tennessee! However, while not a controlled substance, Tennessee vendors must sell kratom in its natural botanical form and label products appropriately. This means that pure kratom is legal, while synthetic products are not.

Kratom is not a controlled substance at the federal level, meaning there is no conflict with Tennessee law. Furthermore, no counties, cities, or towns within Tennessee have moved to restrict kratom.

Despite this, some wrongly believe that kratom is a controlled substance in Tennessee. Let’s refer to a public opinion provided by the state’s Attorney General in December 2017.

The opinion clarifies that kratom in its natural botanical form is not a prohibited controlled substance according to Tennessee law. If anything, the opinion protects Tennessee users from synthetic, adulterated, and modified forms of kratom.

But the “natural botanical form” wording has caused confusion. For instance, can natural kratom powder still be considered as such if enclosed in a capsule or combined with flavorings?.

Crucially, the opinion references mitragynine and hydroxymitragynine, the two main kratom alkaloids, when discussing synthetic kratom and modifications. Provided these natural compounds remain unchanged, kratom is still in its natural botanical form.

That is complex stuff! But here is the bottom line. Natural kratom powder, capsules, extracts, and more are legal in Tennessee!

However, as stated in the 2019 Tennessee Code, it is an offense to knowingly purchase or possess kratom in Tennessee if under the age of 21. It follows that distributing, selling, or offering to sell kratom products to people under 21 is also prohibited.

The public opinion mentioned above shows that kratom is on the Volunteer State’s legal radar. And they appear to have given the substance some deep thought. So, it is no surprise that kratom has a storied legal history there. Let’s explore the key parts.

In early 2021, two bills emerged (House Bill 1493 and Senate Bill 1390) that threatened to transform the kratom industry in Tennessee for the worse.

The identical bills would have affected who could sell kratom in the state and how it could be sold. The plan was to only allow retailers to sell kratom and to restrict product sizes to between 5 and 7 ounces. And violation of the law would have been a Class A demeanor.

That would have really frustrated me if I lived in Tennessee. As a regular user, I prefer buying kratom in bulk to save money. Such legislation would have pushed my costs up and could have made it harder for vendors to get kratom into Tennessee.

Thankfully for Tennesseans, HB1493 failed in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee of the Criminal Justice Committee in March 2022. So far, that is the last the state has seen of efforts to regulate the sale of kratom.

Tennessee lawmakers tried to ban kratom again in 2022, through House Bill 2043 and Senate Bill 1997. And the attempt happened through a sneaky amendment. A bill designed to expand the list of controlled substances was adjusted midway through to include kratom.

The amendment was withdrawn after the bill’s author decided he could not support it. But the incident showed there are still ambitions to ban kratom in Tennessee and that some lawmakers will go down various routes to make it a reality. 

Nobody can say for sure, but history suggests that Tennessean kratom users should be wary about its legal future. With multiple bills introduced to regulate and/or ban kratom since 2021, the substance is often on the minds of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Moreover, the absence of state-level bills in the shape of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act may indicate a lack of support for keeping it legal. Given the moves against kratom, it would be welcome to see a bill to protect the rights of kratom users in Tennessee.

Are you ready to make the most of kratom’s legal status in Tennessee? As of 2023, dozens of vendors in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and elsewhere sell kratom products.

Head shops, vape shops, gas stations, and convenience stores are all examples of brick-and-mortar stores that offer kratom. I have also seen specialist kratom shops in big cities, and you may find some in smaller urban areas, too.

Even so, I buy kratom online for money and safety reasons. As in all industries, online retailers provide better value than their physical counterparts since they do not have as many running costs.

Moreover, online kratom stores are more transparent than most brick-and-mortar vendors (except for specialist stores). Leading online shops make third-party lab results available for all products. This enables customers to check they are getting pure, potent, and legit kratom.

However, if you are in Tennessee and looking to purchase kratom right away, here are three stores where you can do so.

Clarksville Kratom LLC

303a College St, Clarksville, TN 37040

Smoke Mountain Vape & Kratom

2609 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216

Smokeville Smokeshop Kratom

3804 Central Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076

If buying kratom in person in Tennessee, ensure the product label states that it contains 100% all-natural Mitragyna Speciosa. I always do this to protect my wallet and well-being from sketchy brands!

For kratom fanatics in Tennessee, the news is mostly good. Natural kratom remains legal and unrestricted, and all previous prohibition efforts have come to nothing.

That is not to say there will not be legal battles in the future, but for now, the legal situation is just fine!