Is Kratom and 7-OH Legal in Tennessee? Banned as of July 1, 2026

Updated July 2026

If you’ve searched for a direct answer to this question, you’ve probably found contradictory articles depending on when they were written. Here is the current-to-2026 picture. Restoration Recovery is an outpatient addiction clinic in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, and the kratom ban is a live topic for patients we see every week — a cut-off supply affects whether someone can taper safely or needs to move into treatment.

Tennessee status · as of July 1, 2026

Kratom & 7-OH are banned in Tennessee

Effective now

Kratom and 7-OH are illegal for all ages in Tennessee under HB1649/SB1656, called “Matthew Davenport’s Law.” Gov. Bill Lee signed it into law on May 7, 2026 (Public Chapter 950), and it took effect July 1, 2026. Kratom is now a controlled substance in Tennessee, which is the eighth U.S. state to fully ban it. Federal 7-OH action is on a separate track: 7-OH is still federally unscheduled, and the DEA is reviewing an FDA Schedule I recommendation.

Legal status

Illegal (all ages)

Whole-leaf kratom and concentrated 7-OH, statewide.

Effective date

July 1, 2026

Signed May 7, 2026 as Public Chapter 950.

Statute

HB1649 / SB1656

“Matthew Davenport’s Law” — kratom is now a controlled substance.

Federal 7-OH

Unscheduled

FDA recommended Schedule I; DEA review ongoing, no rule yet.

Before the July 1, 2026 ban took effect, under Tennessee Code § 39-17-452, natural kratom products could be legally sold to adults aged 21 and older. That statute also restricted certain concentrated, synthetic, or chemically modified kratom-derived products that fell outside the scope of natural whole-leaf kratom. As of July 1, 2026, whole-leaf kratom powder, capsules, teas, and concentrated 7-OH products are all banned — buying and possessing them in Tennessee is no longer legal, regardless of age.

How Tennessee’s ban became law

In April 2026, the Tennessee legislature took up two competing kratom bills — one to ban it, one to regulate it. The ban passed; the regulate bill did not. Here is the sequence, and where it stands today.

Introduced 2026 · Done

HB1647 / SB1655 — the introduced version

The ban was originally introduced as HB1647/SB1655, with a harsher, felony-based penalty structure.

Substituted · Done

HB1649 / SB1656 — the substituted companion pair

The legislature moved forward with the substituted companion pair HB1649/SB1656, which softened the penalties. This is the version that became law.

April 16, 2026 · Done

Senate passes 23-3

The bill cleared both chambers, passing the Senate on April 16, 2026 with a vote of 23-3.

May 7, 2026 · Done

Signed — Public Chapter 950

Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill into law on May 7, 2026 (Public Chapter 950), with a July 1, 2026 effective date.

July 1, 2026

In effectYou are here

The ban is live. Possession, manufacture, and sale of kratom and 7-OH are now criminal offenses under Tennessee law.

Did not advance

HB2594 — the regulate alternative

HB2594 would have kept kratom legal for adults 21+ but capped 7-OH at 2 percent of alkaloids (or 1 mg per serving), banned synthetic alkaloids, required certificates of analysis and labeling, and given the Alcoholic Beverage Commission enforcement authority. It never reached a floor vote; the legislature chose the ban path.

For the detailed breakdown of what HB1649 does in practice and what it means for current users, see our companion article Tennessee Kratom Ban Law 2026: HB1649/SB1656 (Matthew Davenport’s Law).

Penalties under the Tennessee ban

As passed, kratom possession, manufacture, and sale are criminal offenses under Tennessee law. The penalty tiers are:

Class A misdemeanor

Knowing possession Up to 11 months 29 days; up to a $2,500 fine.

Class C felony

Manufacture, delivery, or sale 3 to 15 years; up to a $10,000 fine.

Class B felony

Sale to a minor 8 to 30 years; up to a $25,000 fine. Applies when the adult is at least two years older and knew the person was a minor.

Federal action is separate

At the federal level, kratom itself is not a scheduled controlled substance, and federal action moves on its own timeline separate from Tennessee’s ban. Three federal steps have built the case around concentrated 7-OH:

January 22, 2025: DEA designated kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as Drugs of Concern — a signal of potential abuse without scheduling.
July 15, 2025: FDA issued warning letters to seven companies marketing 7-OH products.
July 29, 2025: FDA formally recommended to the DEA that concentrated 7-OH products be scheduled as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. The recommendation targets concentrates specifically — tablets, gummies, drink mixes, and shots — not natural kratom leaf.

The DEA is reviewing the FDA recommendation through its standard rulemaking process, which involves a public-comment period before any final action; timing is uncertain, and federal scheduling decisions often take months to years. If concentrated 7-OH products are federally scheduled, they would become illegal nationwide regardless of state law, while natural whole-leaf kratom would remain in its current federal status unless separately addressed. For the full federal picture, see our Is 7-OH Banned Yet? 2026 FDA/DEA status tracker.

What the ban means for treatment

Treatment for kratom dependence does not change based on kratom’s legal status. The medications used for kratom MAT (buprenorphine-based: Suboxone, Sublocade, Brixadi) are controlled substances with their own FDA-approved indication for opioid use disorder. The clinical protocol, the insurance coverage, and the 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality protections all stay the same whether or not Tennessee or the federal government acts.

If you’re dependent on kratom now that it’s illegal in Tennessee, the safest move is getting into treatment rather than waiting out a supply disruption. Abrupt stopping due to panic or a cut-off supply is relapse-prone and clinically worse than a supervised transition. Our providers treat kratom and 7-OH dependence specifically; see our kratom and 7-OH addiction treatment page.

Start treatment this week

Buprenorphine-based treatment for kratom and 7-OH dependence is available now at all four of our clinics across Tennessee and North Georgia. Same-week appointments, most insurance accepted.

Book an appointment Call 423-498-2000

Tennessee kratom law FAQ

Is kratom illegal in Tennessee now?+

Yes. As of July 1, 2026, kratom and 7-OH are illegal to buy, possess, sell, or manufacture in Tennessee for all ages, under HB1649/SB1656 (“Matthew Davenport’s Law”), signed May 7, 2026 as Public Chapter 950. Kratom is now a controlled substance in Tennessee.

Is whole-leaf kratom banned, or only concentrated 7-OH?+

Both. Tennessee’s ban covers whole-leaf kratom powder, capsules, and teas as well as concentrated 7-OH products. This is broader than the pending federal action, which so far targets only concentrated 7-OH products, not natural whole-leaf kratom.

What are the penalties?+

Knowing possession is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 11 months 29 days and up to a $2,500 fine). Manufacture, delivery, or sale is a Class C felony (3 to 15 years and up to a $10,000 fine). Sale to a minor is a Class B felony (8 to 30 years and up to a $25,000 fine).

Does the ban change treatment for kratom dependence?+

No. Treatment for kratom and 7-OH dependence uses buprenorphine-based medications (Suboxone, Sublocade, Brixadi) that have their own FDA-approved indication for opioid use disorder. These medications remain legal, insurance-covered, and confidential under 42 CFR Part 2 regardless of kratom’s legal status in Tennessee.

When did the ban take effect and what is the statute?+

The ban took effect July 1, 2026. It was enacted as HB1649/SB1656 (“Matthew Davenport’s Law”), signed by Gov. Bill Lee on May 7, 2026 as Public Chapter 950. The Senate passed it April 16, 2026 by a vote of 23-3.

Where to check current status

HB1649/SB1656 was signed into law on May 7, 2026 (Public Chapter 950) and took effect July 1, 2026. For the official record — committee actions, voting records, the signing action, and full bill text — see the Tennessee General Assembly’s official site (wapp.capitol.tn.gov) or Legiscan.com. We update our detailed kratom laws article as the law’s status changes meaningfully. For the federal 7-OH picture, FDA press releases and DEA announcements are the authoritative sources.

This article is published for patient information only. It is not legal advice. If you have a specific legal question about your situation, consult a Tennessee attorney.

If you’re thinking about stopping

Whatever the state law does this year, the clinical reality for kratom dependence is stable: buprenorphine-based MAT works, same-week appointments are available at all four of our clinic locations, and most insurance plans cover treatment. Call 423-498-2000 or submit a contact request when you’re ready.

References

Primary legal and regulatory sources cited in this Tennessee status summary.

Tennessee Code § 39-17-452 (current age-21 kratom sale restriction). [State Code]
Tennessee General Assembly. HB1649 (“Matthew Davenport’s Law”), 114th General Assembly, signed into law May 7, 2026 (Public Chapter 950). [LegiScan]
Tennessee General Assembly. SB1656 (Senate companion to HB1649), 114th General Assembly, passed April 16, 2026. [LegiScan]
Tennessee General Assembly. HB1647 (introduced version, replaced by HB1649). [LegiScan]
Tennessee General Assembly. HB2594 (kratom regulation alternative; did not advance). [LegiScan]
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Division. “Kratom Drugs of Concern designation” (January 22, 2025). [DEA]
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Issues Warning Letters to Firms Marketing Products Containing 7-Hydroxymitragynine” (July 15, 2025). [FDA]
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Takes Steps to Restrict 7-OH Opioid Products Threatening American Consumers” (Schedule I recommendation to DEA, July 29, 2025). [FDA]
WSMV4 News, Nashville. “Tennessee kratom ban bill heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk” (April 17, 2026). [News]

Is Kratom & 7-OH Legal in Tennessee in 2026?