Senate Bill 1655, also known as "Matthew Davenport's Law," amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to regulate the possession, manufacture, delivery, and sale of Kratom. The bill establishes that knowingly possessing Kratom is an offense, as is manufacturing, delivering, or selling it. The definition of Kratom is expanded to include any part of the mitragyna speciosa plant containing specific alkaloids, as well as any derivatives or synthetically altered forms. Violations of these provisions are classified as felonies, with possession being a Class D felony, while manufacturing or selling is a Class B felony, escalating to a Class A felony if the offense involves a minor.

Additionally, the bill mandates that county medical examiners test for Kratom in cases of suspected drug overdose and requires treating physicians to include Kratom testing in toxicology screenings for suspected overdoses or neonatal abstinence syndrome. It also directs the commissioner of labor and workforce development to add Kratom to the definition of a drug under existing labor laws. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the state's commitment to addressing the potential dangers associated with Kratom use.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-17-452, 33-2-1404(a)(8), 33-2-1404