Kratom has grown in popularity as more people discover its many health benefits.
Kratom is not regulated in Tennessee, meaning any individual over the age of 21 can own and use kratom.
The caveat is that it has to be 100% natural — synthetically-enhanced kratom products are illegal.
However, the state recently considered amending this law with the Tennessee Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
If you want to learn where to buy kratom in Tennessee, the differences between strains, and how to safely use kratom, this article is for you.
Is Kratom Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, kratom is legal in Tennessee for everyone over the age of 21.
Kratom is only permitted in Tennessee in its natural form, meaning pure kratom powder is legal to buy and own, but synthetic versions are not. Bill TN HB1832 has more information on kratom restrictions and usage in Tennessee.
In April 2023, HB 861 (the Tennessee Kratom Consumer Protection Act) was introduced, which would amend the current laws. It was referred to the Criminal Justice Committee, and there have been no further updates.
It’s essential that you only purchase pure kratom powder to abide by Tennessee law.
Where to Buy Kratom In Tennessee
It’s possible to purchase kratom both online and in-store, but it’s generally better to shop online. There are pros and cons to both methods, but online kratom vendors are closer to the source and easier to do a background check on.
Online also tends to be cheaper and have a better selection of strains to choose from.
Buying Kratom Online
Many (but not all) kratom vendors buy their products directly from the grower. Comparatively, it’s rare for a retail shop to source its kratom from the farmer that grew it.
By shopping online, you avoid having your kratom handled by several separate entities on its way to you, reducing the chances that other ingredients are introduced and lowering the quality and purity of the product.
Fewer hands on your kratom also mean lower prices since fewer people are looking for a cut of the profits.
Local stores also have to worry about inventory, shelf space, and freshness, driving prices up to compensate for the costs of holding a spoilable product like kratom.
Another considerable advantage to shopping online is the peace of mind you get from having access to third-party testing results.
Online vendors like VIP Kratom and Kona Kratom subject products to extensive external lab testing to verify their quality and purity, assuring you that you’re getting the best kratom available.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and roses. One major drawback of purchasing kratom online is shipping. When you shop online, you have to pay shipping fees and wait for your product to be delivered.
Related: Top 10 Kratom Vendors
Buying Kratom In-Store: Kratom Near Me (Tennessee)
If you prefer to buy kratom in person, there are plenty of kratom retailers throughout Tennessee. Keep in mind that purchasing from a local store makes it difficult to verify quality, and, in general, you’ll most likely pay more.
Still, if time is of the essence and you want to buy kratom as soon as possible, purchasing in-store might be the way to go. Below are some of the best kratom vendors in Tennessee.
Kratom Shop CBD Mellow Vape 2 Vape Store
This shop in Hermitage has a tremendous selection and generally gets good reviews for friendliness and customer service. It specializes in kratom but also carries CBD and vape products.
Elevated Smoke and Vape Shop | CBD Delta 8 Hemp Dispensary
Elevated Smoke and Vape Shop in Nashville is less focused on kratom than the previous shop but still carries select kratom products and has competitive prices compared to other brick-and-mortar shops.
Smoke Token Smoke Shop
Smoke Token Smoke Shop is also in Nashville and carries tons of products, but only a small selection of kratom and kratom-related items. Still, the staff is friendly, and prices are fair, making it a good choice for Nashville customers.
Smokeville Smokeshop Kratom
Located in Gallatin, Smokeville Smokeshop Kratom carries more kratom products than most stores, but the prices are slightly higher.
Clarksville Kratom LLC
As the name suggests, it’s located in Clarksville and specializes in kratom. The staff is happy to chat and answer questions, and prices are competitive.
Find Kratom Near You
Check out where to buy kratom in these cities:
What to Look for When Buying Kratom
Whether you purchase online or in-store, there are several things you should look for to ensure the best possible experience when using your product.
Strain Selection
Like many herbs, there are multiple kratom strains, each with its own unique appearance and effects. Which strain is right for you depends on what effect you’re looking for, and choosing the right strain is essential.
The three main strains are white-vein, red-vein, and green-vein kratom.
White Vein Kratom (Energizing)
White-vein kratom is known for being energy-boosting and focus-enhancing — great for taking in the morning to help get your day started. Some people report improved memory and better concentration when taking it.
Red Vein Kratom (Painkilling)
Red-vein kratom is the polar opposite of white-vein kratom. These strains tend to make users feel relaxed and sleepy and are best for bedtime. Red-vein kratom can treat opiate addiction thanks to its similar biological mechanism.
Green Vein Kratom (Balanced)
If you can’t decide between the red and white strains, the green strain may be your best bet. Green-vein kratom is somewhere between the red and white strains and offers a combination of their effects. Users of green-vein kratom say it gives them a calm focus, like a caffeine boost without the jitteriness and anxiety.
Look for AKA Certification
Besides choosing the right strain, it’s also essential to look for certification from the American Kratom Association (AKA). The AKA is an independent company that provides accreditation for kratom retailers that meet a certain threshold for producing quality kratom as verified by in-depth testing.
Kratom vendors with AKA certification are more reputable than other companies since they have been independently reviewed and vetted by the AKA.
To be an AKA member, a company must submit to yearly audits to ensure its products are still up to AKA standards.
Local shops often don’t have AKA certification, making buying online a more attractive option. Buying kratom from an AKA-certified company is the best way to guarantee you’ll get high-quality, pure kratom.
Company Reputation
As is the case for many up-and-coming industries, many unsavory companies are looking to take advantage of kratom’s booming popularity.
Some kratom sellers will misrepresent products to make it seem like they’re higher quality than they actually are, and others cut products with other dangerous substances.
Taking steps to research potential sellers before purchasing kratom is your best defense. At a minimum, do a Google search for a company and read customer reviews before committing to a purchase.
What Are People Using Kratom for?
There are several common uses for kratom, including pain relief, managing opiate withdrawal, treating anxiety and depression, and increasing energy and focus.
Reduce Pain
Pain management is the most common use for kratom, providing relief to many chronic pain sufferers with less aggressive side effects than other common pain relievers.
Kratom’s use as a pain reliever is too new to have a large backlog of clinical studies supporting its efficacy, but the anecdotal support from users is compelling.
Biologically, kratom has a similar interaction with pain receptors as opioids, blocking the pathways that translate pain signals to your brain.
Related: Is Kratom An Opioid?
Help Anxiety & Depression
Some people use green and white kratom tohelp with anxiety and depression, reporting a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of symptoms without the side effects associated with many prescription medications.
Related: Best Kratom Strains for Anxiety
Opiate Withdrawal
Since kratom shares many similarities with opiates, it helps manage withdrawal symptoms for people recovering from opioid addiction. Kratom relieves pain and creates a pleasurable feeling just like opiates, only to a lesser degree.
Related: Can Kratom Cause An Overdose?
Energy & Focus
A less common use for kratom is as an energy booster. White-vein kratom is the predominant strain for this purpose, and many people swear by its ability to make them feel sharp and attentive.
Other common effects include memory enhancement and cognitive performance, although few rigorous studies are supporting these claims.
Related: Best Kratom Strains for Boosting Energy & Focus
Is Kratom Safe?
It’s natural for new users to wonder about kratom’s safety. Kratom is generally safe to use by informed people who practice responsible use. The most important factor is the dose size, which should be kept small, especially for new users.
The best dose for all kratom users — even experienced ones — is between 2 and 12 g. New users should stick to 2 g for a while until they’re used to how kratom affects them.
Kratom can be addictive and habit-forming, so treat it with respect and use it responsibly. It’s a good idea to take a break for one week after 4-5 weeks of regular use.
Another standard recommendation is limiting use to 4-5 days per week. People who use it daily are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to it and experiencing more severe side effects.
Related: Why Is Kratom So Controversial?
Side Effects of Kratom
Virtually all side effects of kratom come from users taking large doses. The best way to avoid unwanted side effects is to keep the amount small. Even experienced kratom users should limit themselves to 5 g doses for the best results.
Kratom’s effects are dose-dependent, so check out our kratom dosage guide if you aren’t sure how much to take.
Stomach Issues
One of the more common side effects reported is nausea. Taking too much is the primary culprit, so keep your dose small if you want to avoid feeling sick.
Vertigo
Some people may feel dizzy and unsteady after using kratom, particularly red-vein kratom. All strains could produce this side effect, however. Once again, large dose sizes are usually to blame.
Anxiety
It might seem strange that one of the side effects is anxiety, given that treating anxiety is one of kratom’s primary uses, but it’s true. Taking large amounts of kratom — more than 10 g — dramatically increases the odds of experiencing jitters and anxiety.
Taking less than 5 g is all but guaranteed to prevent you from feeling anxious.
Foggy Head
A prevalent side effect is feeling underwater, confused, or like your brain is functioning more slowly than usual. Some people report short-term memory lapses, although that seems to be only in extreme cases when taking more than 10g.
To mitigate this side effect, keep your dose size small.
Tiredness
Whether feeling tired is an unwanted side effect or the desired outcome of kratom use depends on your intent. Red-vein kratom has a sedative effect and will make users feel tired.
However, systemic lethargy over several days could be a sign that your body needs a break. Kratom interacts with and stresses your body’s endocrine system and changes your epinephrine levels, which could lead to burnout with sustained use.
Other Side Effects & Considerations
Some people report liver and kidney issues and attribute them to kratom use, although there is no hard evidence, and such claims are only anecdotal. Still, you should be aware of the risks and side effects of kratom before using it.
Pregnant women should not use kratom, as it can be unsafe for the unborn child. It’s important to understand kratom use during pregnancy thoroughly before using the product.
A final consideration is to avoid combining kratom with other medicines, alcohol, and recreational drugs. Using kratom with alcohol or other drugs can create a bad experience at best and serious illness or complications at worst.
What’s the Future of Kratom In Tennessee?
Kratom is legal in Tennessee for individuals over the age of 21 as long as it’s in its pure botanical form. Powdered kratom is legal to purchase and use, but synthetic kratom is not.
The state could pass a law that would regulate kratom products, amending the current legislation. However, it might not progress any further.
As many states consider legislation to regulate kratom usage, it’s unclear what kratom’s future in Tennessee holds.
Purchasing kratom online is the best way to get the highest quality kratom at the best price while simultaneously having a more comprehensive selection.
It’s possible to buy kratom in person in Tennessee, although you put yourself at risk of obtaining a lower-quality product.
The safest bet is to stick with online vendors like Star Kratom, Kona Kratom, or VIP Kratom.
