Tennessee 7-OH Ban July 1 2026: What Changed?

On July 1, 2026, Tennessee's ban on kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine took effect. The change is one of the most significant state level developments in the modern history of the kratom category, and it directly affects retailers, consumers, and the wider United States regulatory conversation. This article walks through what the law says, how it got there, what it covers, what the penalties are, and where the change fits inside the broader picture.

This is an informational article. It is not legal advice, not medical guidance, and not a recommendation regarding any product. Anyone with legal or health questions should consult a qualified professional.

Quick Answer

Tennessee's ban is contained in House Bill 1649, companion Senate Bill 1656, codified as Public Chapter 950 and known as Matthew Davenport's Law. Signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 7, 2026 and effective July 1, 2026, the law bans the sale, possession, manufacture, and distribution of kratom and its named alkaloids in Tennessee, including 7-hydroxymitragynine. Tennessee is now the eighth state in the United States with a full kratom ban on the books.

The Bill at a Glance

A snapshot of the key facts for quick reference.

Timeline of How the Law Passed

The bill moved through Tennessee's General Assembly in the first half of 2026.

• Bill introduced during the 114th General Assembly session

• Passed both chambers on April 16, 2026, with the House voting 78 to 9 and the Senate voting 23 to 3

• Signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on May 7, 2026

• Codified as Public Chapter 950

• Effective at 12 01 a.m. on July 1, 2026

The Tennessee General Assembly bill history page is the primary source for tracking any amendments or corrections filed against the enacted text.

Why the Bill Is Called Matthew Davenport's Law?

The bill is named in honor of Matthew Davenport of Chattanooga, whose family shared his story with legislators during committee hearings. Sponsors have publicly stated that the bill is intended to prevent similar outcomes tied to product interactions and to close regulatory gaps that had allowed concentrated 7-OH products to be sold in convenience settings.

What the Ban Actually Covers?

The scope of the ban is broader than a 7-OH only prohibition. Understanding what it covers is important for anyone previously in the market for these products in Tennessee.

Substances Covered

The statute defines kratom to include the following.

• Mitragynine

• 7-hydroxymitragynine

• Derivatives of either compound

• The natural leaf of Mitragyna speciosa in any form

That definition sweeps in refined 7-OH products such as tablets, gummies, drink shots, and drink mixes, alongside natural leaf products such as loose powder and leaf capsules.

Product Formats Affected

Any finished product sold under a kratom, 7-OH, or related label is affected. Examples that fall inside the ban include the following.

• 7-OH tablets and chewable tablets

• 7-OH liquid shots

• 7-OH gummies

• 7-OH drink mixes

• Traditional kratom leaf powder

• Kratom leaf capsules

• Kratom extracts and concentrates

• Blended products that pair kratom-derived alkaloids with other listed ingredients

Where This Applies?

The ban applies statewide across Tennessee, including gas stations, convenience stores, smoke shops, vape shops, and online sellers shipping to Tennessee addresses. Retailers that were previously selling these products in Tennessee are affected regardless of the vendor category.

Criminal Penalties Under the Law

The penalty structure is graduated by conduct.

Possession

Knowing possession is a Class A misdemeanor. Class A misdemeanors in Tennessee are punishable by up to eleven months and twenty nine days of incarceration and a fine of up to two thousand five hundred dollars.

Manufacture, Delivery, or Sale

Manufacture, delivery, or sale of a covered substance is a Class C felony. Class C felonies in Tennessee are punishable by three to fifteen years of incarceration and a fine of up to ten thousand dollars.

Sale to a Minor

Sale to a minor by an adult at least two years older who knew the person was a minor is a Class B felony. Class B felonies in Tennessee are punishable by eight to thirty years of incarceration and a fine of up to twenty five thousand dollars.

Summary Table

Additional Provisions Worth Knowing

The bill includes several additional provisions that go beyond the core prohibition and penalty structure.

Medical Testing Requirement

The law requires treating physicians and county medical examiners to test for kratom when a patient overdose is suspected. This provision is intended to improve data collection on suspected kratom exposure incidents inside the state.

Change to Recovery Policy Language

The law strips out certain kratom exemption language that had previously appeared in state recovery policies. Anyone working in that space should review the amended text before continuing to rely on any prior exemption.

Where Tennessee Sits Nationally After July 1, 2026?

Tennessee is now the eighth United States state with a full kratom ban on the books. The other seven states, according to public legal trackers, are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Vermont, and Wisconsin, along with Connecticut which does not permit sale.

Kansas also enacted a kratom ban that took effect the same day, according to public reporting, making July 1, 2026 a notable date in the national regulatory picture.

Federal Context

At the federal level, the United States Food and Drug Administration recommended to the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2025 that concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine products be scheduled as Schedule I controlled substances. The federal recommendation targets concentrated and synthetic 7-OH products such as tablets, gummies, drink mixes, and shots rather than natural kratom leaf.

The Tennessee law reaches further than the federal recommendation by including natural leaf products in the ban, not only concentrated derivatives.

State by State Landscape

The American Kratom Association maintains an ongoing tracker of state kratom law that is a useful reference for anyone comparing the Tennessee change against activity elsewhere in the United States.

What the Law Does Not Do?

Reading the ban accurately also means noting what it does not include.

• The law does not create a state licensing program for kratom or 7-OH products in Tennessee because the products are prohibited outright

• The law does not include a personal use exemption or a small quantity exemption

• The law does not carve out concentrations under any specific threshold

• The law does not provide a phased in transition for existing retail inventory beyond the effective date

Retailers, consumers, and shipping operators should treat July 1, 2026 as the operative cutoff.

Practical Implications

The change has downstream effects for several groups.

For Consumers Living in Tennessee

Possession of covered products in Tennessee is a criminal offense as of July 1, 2026. Purchases through online retailers that ship to Tennessee are also affected. Many national online retailers have historically maintained state exclusion lists that update in step with state law changes.

For Retailers Operating in Tennessee

Sale, manufacture, and distribution carry felony exposure. Retailers previously carrying kratom or 7-OH inventory should confirm with counsel how to handle existing inventory in a compliant manner.

For Online Sellers Shipping into Tennessee

Online sellers should confirm that Tennessee is on their restricted shipping list. Many national 7-OH retailers already exclude Tennessee at checkout as a result of the law taking effect.

For Employers and Healthcare Providers

The medical testing provision changes what is expected in cases of suspected overdose. Healthcare providers and county medical examiners should review the specific statutory language and update internal protocols where necessary.

Reactions From the Kratom Industry

Kratom industry associations have publicly criticized broad kratom prohibitions in the past, favoring Kratom Consumer Protection Act frameworks that regulate age, labeling, and testing rather than outright bans. The American Kratom Association has been a leading voice in advocating for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act model.

Public health and addiction treatment providers have generally supported the Tennessee ban, citing concerns about concentrated 7-OH products in particular. Coverage from outlets including Kratom Science has documented reactions from both sides of the debate.

How Long Might This Last?

State kratom laws have changed over time. Rhode Island reversed a prior kratom ban in 2025, according to public legal tracking, becoming the first United States state to do so. Whether other states follow that path or continue moving toward prohibition is not clear from currently available information. What is clear is that the state and local legal map is not static and continues to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tennessee's 7-OH ban?

It is a law passed as House Bill 1649 and companion Senate Bill 1656, codified as Public Chapter 950 and known as Matthew Davenport's Law. It bans kratom and its named alkaloids including 7-hydroxymitragynine in Tennessee. It took effect July 1, 2026.

When did the Tennessee 7-OH ban take effect?

July 1, 2026 is the effective date. The bill was signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 7, 2026.

Does the Tennessee ban apply to natural kratom leaf?

Yes. The statutory definition of kratom includes mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and their derivatives, and the ban extends to natural leaf products such as powder and capsules, not only concentrated 7-OH products.

What are the penalties for possession under the Tennessee ban?

Knowing possession is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to eleven months and twenty nine days of incarceration and up to a two thousand five hundred dollar fine.

What are the penalties for selling covered products in Tennessee?

Manufacture, delivery, or sale of a covered substance is a Class C felony, punishable by three to fifteen years of incarceration and up to a ten thousand dollar fine. Sale to a minor is a Class B felony with harsher penalties.

Does the Tennessee ban affect purchases from out of state retailers?

Yes. The ban applies to possession in Tennessee regardless of where the product was purchased. Many national retailers have added Tennessee to their restricted shipping list.

How many states now ban kratom outright?

Tennessee is the eighth United States state with a full ban on the books as of July 1, 2026, alongside Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Kansas also enacted a ban effective the same day. State law changes frequently, so verify against current tracking before relying on this list.

Where can I read the full text of the Tennessee law?

The Tennessee General Assembly publishes bill and public chapter text through its public bill information portal at wapp.capitol.tn.gov.

Key Takeaways

• Tennessee's ban on kratom and 7-OH took effect July 1, 2026

• The law is Public Chapter 950, popularly known as Matthew Davenport's Law

• It was signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 7, 2026

• The scope includes mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, their derivatives, and natural kratom leaf

• Possession is a Class A misdemeanor

• Manufacture, delivery, or sale is a Class C felony

• Sale to a minor is a Class B felony

• Tennessee is now the eighth state with a full kratom ban

• The ban is broader than the current federal 7-OH scheduling recommendation, which targets concentrated products only

• Kansas also enacted a ban effective the same day

Important Notice

This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not legal advice, medical advice, a product recommendation, or a claim about safety or effects. The United States Food and Drug Administration does not approve kratom or 7-hydroxymitragynine for use in any food, dietary supplement, or drug, and the regulatory status of these products varies by jurisdiction and continues to change. Readers should consult current local, state, and federal law, including resources from the American Kratom Association, before making any commercial or personal decisions. Speak with a qualified attorney for legal questions and a qualified healthcare professional for any health related questions.

Sources and Further Reading

• Tennessee General Assembly bill portal for House Bill 1649

• United States Food and Drug Administration, FDA and Kratom

• American Kratom Association

• Kratom Science, Kansas and Tennessee Ban Reporting