Do not Ban Natural Kratom Leaf

As a resident, I am writing to respectfully urge you to oppose HB1649 / SB1656 and HB1647 / SB1655, which would impose a blanket ban on kratom and criminalize responsible adult consumers across our state.

Under these proposals, possession of natural kratom could become a Class A misdemeanor — exposing responsible adults to criminal penalties for using a lawful botanical product with a long history of traditional use.

These bills fail to distinguish between natural kratom leaf and dangerous synthetic substances that have raised legitimate public health concerns. That distinction matters.

Federal health officials have made clear that recent enforcement efforts focus on concentrated synthetic alkaloids — not the natural leaf. Tennessee can and should take the same targeted approach.

Rather than imposing a blanket ban, I urge you to oppose HB1649 / SB1656 and HB1647 / SB1655 and instead support an amendment explicitly excluding natural kratom products. A better path forward already exists: HB2594 / SB2417, the Tennessee Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which establishes age restrictions, labeling requirements, and product safety standards to protect consumers without criminalizing responsible adults.

[Optional: Insert your personal experience here.]

I respectfully ask that you protect responsible Tennesseans and support regulation over criminalization.

Thank you for your time and your service to our state.

Sincerely,
[Name]
[City], Tennessee