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 often occurs in convenience stores without adequate information on its ingredients, dosing, or potential interactions with other medications.

The resolution is further motivated by the tragic death of Matthew Davenport, who died from a lethal interaction between prescribed medications and Kratom. His mother, Karen Davenport, is advocating for stricter regulations or a complete ban on Kratom sales in Tennessee to prevent similar tragedies. The resolution calls for the state to take action, reflecting the need for protective measures against harmful substances like Kratom, which, despite being marketed as safe and natural, poses significant risks to public health.