Is Kratom Legal in Tennessee? 2023 Update

Is kratom legal in Tennessee?

That’s an important question to ask before buying kratom near you! The short answer, in the state of Tennessee, yes. Kratom is legal to buy, sell and use for those 21+ in all parts of Tennessee, so you can buy kratom from a local retailer or you have the option to buy online and have kratom shipped to your door. The choice is yours!

Because kratom is not federally regulated, it is up to each state to develop and enforce legislation. Because of this, things like age requirements for using kratom are constantly changing. There are some states that are also divided within, making kratom legal in a state but not all cities, counties, or municipalities within that state. Be sure you understand your state and local laws regarding kratom before you make a purchase. 

What is Kratom?

This botanical has been used by the native peoples in this region for centuries as a part of their holistic well-being, for lifting spirits, relaxing the body, and liberating the mind. All kratom comes from the dried leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree, a species native to Southeast Asia and a relative to the coffee plant. It thrives in hot, humid climates making Southeast Asia the world’s top Kratom source. You can learn more about the kratom plant and its benefits here.

Only after reaching their peak of perfection, leaves are hand-picked by Kratom farmers with years of experience selecting only the best Kratom leaves. After specialized drying techniques, the leaves are crushed and made into the kratom you can buy online today.

Can I Buy Kratom In Tennessee?

Kratom is legal to buy, sell and use for those 21+ in all parts of Tennessee. You’ll be able to find it at local smoke shops, vape stores or herbal shops near you. Be sure to only buy kratom from manufactures who are members of and certified by The American Kratom Association, also known as the AKA, the consumer advocate group for kratom users throughout the United States. Read on to learn more about the AKA and their efforts to protect consumers and keep kratom legal.

Where To Find Kratom In Tennessee

In big cities like Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis you’ll find many quality smoke shops that carry kratom. Check out this article for the best places to buy kratom in a city near you. This curated list will tell you where to find the best vape shops, smoke shops, or herbal shops that sell kratom in Nashville, Knoxville and more!

History of kratom legality in Tennessee

Kratom is only permitted in Tennessee in its natural form, meaning only pure kratom powder is legal to buy and possess, but synthetic versions are not. In addition to that, you must be over 21 to buy kratom in Tennessee. Check out bill TN HB1832 for more information on kratom restrictions in Tennessee. 

In 2014, Tennessee officials passed a law that made more than synthetic kratom illegal. This caused much confusion for the kratom community – no one was sure if kratom was legal in Tennessee (don’t worry, it is).

There was a ban scare in both 2017 and 2018, when the Tennessee Senate reviewed another bill on drugs and controlled substances. Kratom was listed causing much uncertainty for kratom supporters in this state. Luckily, it wasn’t passed and according to the current legislation, kratom powder, kratom capsules containing it, and kratom extracts are now legal. There were only two major restrictions that impacted kratom users, age restriction of 21+ and labeling disclaimers that should state:

• Pregnant and nursing women and those under 21 should not use kratom
• Kratom should not be combined with alcohol or medications
• Individuals should consult their physician in case of heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disorder, or other medical condition and consult their physician if taking any medications before using kratom.

In February 2021, two new bills emerged looking to place two more restrictions on this herb. One, to make it legal for only kratom retailers to sell kratom. A kratom retailer was specified as any entity, person, firm, partnership, corporation, or association engaged in the business of making sales at kratom retail shops within the state. 

Two, to only allow sales of kratom products in packages that contain from 5 to 7 ounces (approximately 140 -200 grams) of the respective product. Ignoring this law could have resulted in a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by 11 months and 29 days of jail time, a $2,500 fine, or both.

While kratom would have remained legal across Tennessee under this law, kratom users would have had more hassles when buying kratom. The limitations on the quantity of kratom you could sell would have prevented bulk orders, a big way to save money on this herb. It would also have complicated shipping kratom to Tennessee.

With a huge sigh of relief from the pro-kratom community, the bill died in committee. Currently, there are no legal restrictions on how much kratom you can sell in one package.

Although the use and sale of kratom is legal here, it is still not regulated. Tennessee has not adopted their version of the KCPA and while legalities it seems are a non-issue, the quality of the kratom products being sold is still up for debate.

The AKA and The Fight to Make Kratom Federally Legal and Regulated

Founded in 2014, the American Kratom Association’s vision has always been to protect the rights and safety of kratom users across the nation. Since kratom is not being regulated at a federal level, each state is left to decide how they want to handle this herb and there are no federal standards to regulate manufacturers and distributors of kratom, meaning that not all the kratom you can buy is safe. The American Kratom Association, also known as the AKA, is the consumer advocate group for kratom users throughout the United States.

Thanks to the AKA, not all legislative efforts that affect kratom users and kratom vendors are prohibitive. They are working to get all states on board with the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. This act will help regulate the kratom industry – keeping consumers safe and providing kratom manufacturers a set of safety standards to follow. The AKA actively monitors federal, state, city, and municipal legislation in the battle for kratom legality. Check this out If you’re interested in getting involved with your local legislators regarding kratom.

Buying Kratom Online

Because you live in a state where kratom is legal you have two options– you can either buy it online or locally! Buying kratom online is a popular option because you can save money with discounts and coupon codes, and the kratom is more reliable. If you love lots of options, shopping for kratom online is perfect for you! Vendors who sell online tend to have a large variety of strains to try vs. a local retailer who may have only a few. Make sure you are only buying kratom from a safe source. Before you buy, check to see if your kratom product comes from a vendor that is certified by the AKA.

NuWave Botanicals Has the Best Kratom Strains

NuWave Botanicals is an AKA certified vendor bringing you only the highest quality kratom powders, purest kratom capsules, strongest liquid kratom, best kratom shots, the largest variety of bulk kratom to buy online and more. They come highly recommended and have great customer service.

Their worry-free guarantee means you can rest assured that the Kratom leaves in every one of their products are lab-tested for purity and strength before being packaged in a facility that complies with the AKA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) program. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase from them, they also offer a no-hassle, 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee! You can have your kratom delivered to your door in as little as one day, and shipping is always FREE on orders of $100 or more.

The NuWave Difference

NuWave Kratom is based in Texas. As believers in the good it can do, they strive to make kratom education and products more accessible to those who could benefit from its wellness properties. They ethically source all their kratom from Indonesia, where they empower local farmers, their families, and communities to thrive. That’s the NuWave difference.