House Joint Resolution 147, sponsored by Helton-Haynes, addresses the growing concern over the regulation of Kratom, a substance used by approximately 1.7 million Americans for self-treatment of various medical conditions. Despite its legal status in Tennessee, Kratom has been linked to serious health risks, including overdose and death, with over 2,000 fatal kratom-related overdoses reported from 2021 to 2023. The resolution highlights the lack of regulation surrounding Kratom's sale, which is often marketed as a safe herbal supplement but is banned in several countries and poses significant risks due to its opioid-like effects.

The resolution calls for strict state regulation or an outright ban on Kratom sales in Tennessee, emphasizing the tragic case of Matthew Davenport, who died from a lethal interaction between prescribed medications and Kratom. His mother, Karen Davenport, is advocating for these regulatory changes to prevent further tragedies. The resolution underscores Tennessee's previous efforts to combat substance abuse and argues that families and communities deserve protection from harmful substances like Kratom, which is currently sold without adequate oversight or safety information.