Legislation in TN that would outlaw Kratom advances to state Senate

TN State representatives voted Wednesday to approve legislation that would outlaw all forms of Kratom. The proposal now heads to the Senate. Kratom is a plant-based substance from a Southeast Asian tree, often sold in gas stations and smoke shops and is at the center of a growing debate in Tennessee. Supporters of the bill say the ban is needed to address safety concerns. Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the bill after hearing from constituents who use kratom, particularly those who say it helps manage pain or opioid withdrawal, and veterans managing PTSD. The Drug Enforcement Administration does not currently list kratom as a controlled substance at the federal level.