UPDATE: Tennessee Senate votes to ban kratom, awaits governor’s signature

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The over-the-counter substance, kratom, also known as "gas station heroin," found in dozens of smoke shops, vape shops, and gas stations, is one step closer to leaving shelves this summer.

A bill that would ban the product has passed both the Tennessee House and Senate and is on its way to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee's desk.

Local shop owners say a ban on kratom might be taking it too far, and regulations would be enough, but state leaders say regulations wouldn't cut it, and a state ban is necessary.
“I feel like they're throwing a ban on it before we've really even done enough research into what it is,” says Breyer Ferris, manager of 101 Smoke Shop.

Tennessee State representative Esther Helton-Haynes says, "It's hung around in Tennessee long enough, and it was just time to get rid of it.”

Kratom can be highly addictive with side effects mimicking drugs like morphine, but weaker. Over the years, it's become more popular and more accessible.

“People will come in as soon as they know there's a new type available,” Ferris says. “They started asking me for it immediately, so they know about it a week before I even get access to order it.”

Ferris says around 20% of his customers purchase kratom products, and while a ban wouldn’t affect business terribly, that number has been on the rise since the store’s opening.

“People are really into it. It's the biggest bad, and it's one of those things where it's kind of hard to stop it.”

But, Ferris says, many of his customers vary: some are in their early 30s, and others are decades older.

“There’s some 80-year-old senior citizens you’d never expect, and they buy it because they don’t want to take Percocets or something their doctor prescribes them,” he says.

Ferris says new and evolving products are what keep most customers returning, but some of them can pose significantly more risks than others.

“I have very mixed feelings about it in its pure form: when it’s just the kratom, I think it’s great for people, but then it started getting condensed into shots,” he explains.

Because of that, some local business owners, like Ferris, believe banning kratom entirely would be a rash decision despite its dangers.

“Instead of just banning it, we probably should have tried to be stricter on it and make companies label it, just because there are some people that are getting significant benefits,” Ferris says. “I worry what people would turn to if they couldn't come get it, because a lot of them, and some people you wouldn't even expect, are actually using it for real relief.”

Some say restrictions would've been a better choice than a ban, but state representative Esther Helton-Haynes, who sponsored the bill, says that's not something they could work with.

“As long as there is the natural form around, they're going to be able to make the synthetics, because that's how they're currently doing it. It's cheaper and easier,” Rep. Helton-Haynes says.

She says it's also impossible to distinguish between what's natural and synthetic.

“There's not a lab test that will differentiate that,” she says.

Helton-Haynes says even when it comes to the leaf’s natural form, dangers persist.

“The Federal Drug Administration says the natural leaf isn’t safe either. It’s a substance of concern, and the Drug Enforcement Administration says the same thing.”

Helton-Haynes says she’s thankful for the many approvals from other state leaders and hopes Governor Bill Lee will sign the bill into law. If he does, the bill will take effect on July 1st.



Tennesseans could see a controversial over-the-counter substance known as "gas station heroin" disappear from shelves in just a few months, following rising concerns over its side effects.

The Tennessee House of Representatives voted 78-9 to pass a bill that would ban the use, sale, and distribution of kratom.

Kratom is derived from plants in Southeast Asia that contain chemicals that interact with opioid receptors in the brain, mimicking drugs like morphine, but weaker. It's used to increase energy or for pain relief, but can be addictive and have serious side effects.

“People can go through withdrawals if they were to try to stop using the substance, and they will have cravings for the substance,” says Gayle Lodato, Vice President, The McNabb Center of Greater Chattanooga.

Lodato says using kratom can also lead to other substance use.

“Without being regulated, we never know how much of a substance someone is getting, and we're also not sure what else is in drinks and things that are available to others,” Lodato says.

The biggest issue for many is how easily accessible kratom is.

“People can just walk into a store and purchase a drink with this in it,” Lodato says.

We heard from Chattanooga residents, who all agreed: It's easy to come by in everyday places.

“I've seen it in plenty of gas stations and smoke shops. I feel like it's pretty common to see,” William Adams says.

"I just see the little tablets or the bags highlighting kratom use,” says Graydon Gamble.

"It's so easy to get and easy to find anywhere, and there's really no warning on the label, and you can use it as much as you want,” Holland Collett says. “I think that's what is so harmful about it,”

Some residents are concerned that people don't fully understand kratom's potential risks and who might get their hands on it.

"They are trying to experiment and learn new things, and they don't know the harmful effects this is going to have on them in the long run,” says Collett.
 
With the Senate's vote approaching, many are counting on leaders to make the decision they feel is best for Tennessee.

“I hope they really think about the information that has been shared with them and think about the harmful risks of kratom being unregulated,” Lodato says.

“If they do want to keep it around, then do it, but do it in a manner where people are fairly educated so they know what could happen if they were to take it,” says Collett.

The bill heads to the Senate for consideration on April 16. If approved and signed by Gov. Lee, it would take effect July 1.