The State of Tennessee is another step closer to becoming Kratom free.
State representatives voted Wednesday to approve legislation that would outlaw all forms of the substance, including a more potent derivative known as 7-OH.
The proposal now heads to the Senate.
Kratom is a plant-based substance from a Southeast Asian tree, often sold in gas stations and smoke shops. It has been at the center of a growing debate in Tennessee.
Supporters of the bill say the ban is needed to address safety concerns.
“This bill addresses the growing public concern and safety surrounding kratom,” Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes said during earlier hearings.
The legislation is named after a Chattanooga man whose family says he died after using kratom with other substances.
Lawmakers have pointed to risks, including possible links to overdose deaths and concerns about how the substance is marketed.
Hellbound and Down 