Last updated: July 2026 · Written by the Kingdom Kratom team

Quick answer: No — kratom is illegal in Tennessee. A 2026 law known as “Matthew Davenport's Law” (HB 1649/SB 1656) banned kratom effective July 1, 2026. Knowing possession is a Class A misdemeanor, and manufacturing or selling it is a Class C felony. This is a full ban, covering the leaf, not just concentrated 7-OH.

Tennessee's kratom ban is brand new — it took effect July 1, 2026 — so a lot of older information online is now out of date. Here's the current law.

Is kratom legal in Tennessee right now?

No. Tennessee enacted “Matthew Davenport's Law” (HB 1649 / SB 1656), which took effect July 1, 2026 and prohibits kratom. The law is named for a Chattanooga man who died in 2024 in connection with a kratom-prescription interaction. It passed both chambers by wide margins and was signed by the governor in spring 2026.

What are the penalties?

• Knowing possession — a Class A misdemeanor.
• Manufacture or sale — a Class C felony.
• Sale to a minor — an elevated (Class B felony) offense.

This is a full prohibition rather than a 7-OH-only restriction, so it reaches natural leaf products as well. Anyone with a specific situation should consult a Tennessee attorney.

The DEA's July 2026 7-OH decision (national context)

At the federal level, kratom leaf remains legal. On July 1, 2026 — the same day Tennessee's ban took effect — the DEA filed its intent to temporarily place concentrated and synthetic 7-OH into Schedule I, plus three related lab-made compounds (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16), with HHS's support. Importantly, the DEA said the action does not apply to natural kratom leaf below roughly 0.05% 7-OH by dry weight. So Tennessee's ban is far broader than the federal action, which only targets the concentrate. See our 7-OH scheduling explainer.

How Tennessee compares to other states

Tennessee joins the minority of full-ban states. That contrasts sharply with most of the country, where 2025-2026 lawmaking has focused on restricting concentrated 7-OH while keeping natural leaf legal. Compare every state in our state-by-state legality guides.

Can you buy kratom in Tennessee?

No — kratom can't be legally sold in Tennessee, and we do not ship there. If you want to see the ban revisited, the American Kratom Association organizes consumer advocacy. Rhode Island reversed its ban in 2026, so change is possible.

Frequently asked questions

Is kratom legal in Tennessee in 2026?

No. Kratom became illegal in Tennessee on July 1, 2026 under HB 1649/SB 1656 (“Matthew Davenport's Law”).

Is possessing kratom a crime in Tennessee?

Yes. Knowing possession is a Class A misdemeanor; manufacturing or selling is a Class C felony.

Does the ban cover natural leaf kratom?

Yes. Tennessee's ban is a full prohibition, not a 7-OH-only restriction.

Can I get kratom shipped to Tennessee?

No. Kingdom Kratom does not ship to Tennessee because kratom is illegal there.

This article is general information as of July 2026 and is not legal advice. Verify current Tennessee law before acting. Kingdom Kratom makes no health or therapeutic claims about kratom.