Imagine walking through a convenience store and seeing a bright red package filled with small, strawberry cream-filled waffle cones. Next to it are single-serve fruit-flavored drink mixes that appear to be hydration packets. While these might sound appealing, they actually contain a compound that can be 13 times more potent than morphine. I’m talking about […]
Imagine walking through a convenience store and seeing a bright red package filled with small, strawberry cream-filled waffle cones. Next to it are single-serve fruit-flavored drink mixes that appear to be hydration packets. While these might sound appealing, they actually contain a compound that can be 13 times more potent than morphine.
I’m talking about 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which is a byproduct of kratom, a tropical tree native to the wetlands of Southeast Asia. Commonly referred to as “gas station heroin,” it’s frequently sold as a tablet, capsule, extract or even an herbal tea.
I was first made aware of the dangers of this substance from a Hamilton County mother who was devastated by its fatal side effects. Her son, Matthew Davenport, a longtime Chattanooga resident, tragically lost his life in 2024 following a lethal interaction between his doctor-prescribed medication and kratom. A grandson, brother, and uncle, Matthew’s life was cut short because of something that should never have been available in Tennessee.
The unfortunate reality is that these dangerous products are found on shelves in gas stations, vape shops and liquor and convenience stores throughout the Volunteer State.
Americans are being misled into believing kratom and its derivatives are “wellness supplements” that can safely alleviate pain, enhance moods and reduce anxiety.
A report from the Tampa Bay Times found that 587 people died from kratom-related overdoses in Florida between 2013-23. While most of these overdoses were caused in conjunction with another substance, like in Matthew’s case, 46 were attributed to kratom alone.
I’m committed to honoring Matthew’s legacy by protecting other unknowing users of kratom. I passed a bipartisan resolution this year in the Tennessee General Assembly that advocated for the strictest possible regulation or prohibition of the substance in our state.
I was encouraged in July when the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classify 7-OH as a Schedule I substance. This action would restrict 7-OH products the same as heroin, LSD and ecstasy.
The FDA also released a troubling report identifying 7-OH as an “emerging opioid threat” that requires “immediate policy intervention.” The reality is that kratom and 7-OH are not FDA-approved and cannot be lawfully added to conventional foods or dietary supplements.
“After the last wave of the opioid epidemic, we cannot get caught flat-footed again,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in July. “We need regulation and public education to prevent another wave of the opioid epidemic.”
Kratom products are addictive and often sold without proper warning and dosage or quality controls. They can lead to physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and respiratory depression. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services James O’Neill says the United States has seen a disturbing rise in overdoses, poisonings and emergency room visits as a result of products with 7-OH.
The DEA in 2016 moved to classify 7-OH and mitragynine, another kratom derivative, as Schedule I controlled drugs “in order to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety.” Unfortunately, the agency quickly reversed course. I can’t help but to think how many lives might have been saved if these harmful substances were adequately classified almost a decade ago.
The only legal way to sell kratom in Tennessee is in its natural, botanical form. Still, products with synthetic and concentrated forms of 7-OH are still widely available, despite its classification as a controlled substance in our state.
This is unacceptable.
As lawmakers gear up for the second session of the 114th General Assembly in January, I’m determined to ensure 7-OH is regulated as a Schedule I drug. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to pass legislation to make this a reality.
Removing 7-OH products from store shelves is a critical step in promoting the health, well-being and prosperity of all Tennesseans.
State Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes represents District 30 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Hamilton County. She is chair of the Insurance Subcommittee and also serves on the Health Committee, Insurance Committee and the Population Health Subcommittee.