KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — (WOKI / WVLT) – Kratom will soon be banned across Tennessee, with the substance set to be removed from store shelves starting July 1 after lawmakers labeled it “gas station heroin.”
The upcoming ban is prompting concern from both business owners and addiction recovery advocates, who warn the transition could have unintended consequences.
Kratom, often sold in capsule and powder form, has been cited by lawmakers as addictive and potentially dangerous. Some recovery specialists say withdrawal from kratom can be severe.
“Some of the folks we’ve worked with have said it’s been worse than coming off of heroin, and that’s scary for our communities,” said Ashlee Krouse with Renew Clinic in Knoxville.
Krouse, who is nearly a decade into recovery from heroin addiction, said the ban could ultimately benefit the state, but there may be short-term risks. She worries some people who used kratom to step away from opioids could relapse.
“One of my biggest concerns is the risk of people going back out to opioids,” she said.
Local businesses are also bracing for impact. Paul DiBrito, CEO of Kats Botanicals, said the law will cost his company thousands of Tennessee customers and millions in revenue annually. He’s already moving operations out of state.
DiBrito estimates customers spend about $120 a month, adding up to more than $5 million in lost business each year. He also worries some users may turn to unsafe alternatives.
“They might go back to rehab, and some people might black market it,” DiBrito said.
Recovery organizations are urging anyone who depends on kratom to plan ahead and seek support. Renew Clinic says it is already seeing an increase in treatment referrals as the deadline approaches.
Drew Mann with Renew Clinic said people should not wait until the ban takes effect to get help.
“Please do your homework before July 1 gets here,” Mann said. “Don’t wait until you’re forced to deal with something you’re not ready for.”
While opioid numbers in Knoxville have been trending down, recovery advocates fear the kratom ban could reverse that progress if users turn back to more dangerous substances.
