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

The resolution is further motivated by the tragic case 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 implement the strictest regulations on Kratom, reflecting the need for protective measures for families and communities against the dangers posed by this unregulated substance.