ATLANTA – State Representative Rick Townsend (R-Brunswick) recently convened the second meeting of the House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Youth Exposure to Kratom and Retail-Available Substances on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick. Rep. Townsend opened the meeting with an overview of the committee’s first meeting, which was held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the State Capitol in Atlanta. Committee members then heard presentations on kratom regulation and youth nicotine use and received public testimony about the personal impacts of kratom and other retail-available substances.
“Our meeting in Brunswick provided an opportunity for the study committee to build on what we learned during our first meeting and hear directly from experts and members of the community about the concerns surrounding kratom and other retail-available substances,” said Rep. Townsend. “The testimony and information presented gave us additional perspectives on product safety, youth access, regulation and the potential health impacts of these substances. As we continue this important work, our goal is to carefully examine the information before us and identify opportunities to better protect Georgia’s youth from these substances. I was proud to host this meeting in my community and House District 179, and I look forward to our next meeting as we continue to learn more, examine these important issues and consider potential solutions.”
At the beginning of the meeting, Rep. Townsend provided an overview of the committee’s first meeting in June, where study committee members heard from medical experts, researchers, law enforcement professionals and recovery advocates about the pharmacology, potency, safety and potential health effects of youth exposure to kratom and other retail-available substances. Rep. Townsend also outlined new developments surrounding kratom since the committee’s initial meeting, including research raising concerns about the accuracy of kratom product labeling, federal concerns regarding 7-OH, a more potent chemical form of kratom, and regulatory actions being considered in other states.
Following Rep. Townsend’s overview of the first meeting, study committee members heard additional testimony on concerns surrounding youth exposure to kratom and other retail-available substances, including the potential health risks, accessibility and marketing of these products. Testimony highlighted the differences between natural leaf kratom and 7-OH, as well as concerns about product labeling, enforcement and regulation. A representative from Shatterproof also presented a state-by-state policy comparison and discussed existing approaches to regulating kratom. The presentation also outlined potential measures to strengthen consumer protections and limit youth access, including age limits, child-resistant packaging, clear dosage labeling, advertising restrictions and restrictions on sales near schools and other youth-oriented locations.
The study committee also heard a presentation from a pediatric pulmonologist with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University on youth vaping and nicotine as a preview of the study committee’s next meeting. The presentation highlighted the addictive nature of nicotine, trends in youth vaping and factors contributing to youth use, including marketing and accessibility of these products. Study committee members also heard about potential health effects associated with youth vaping, including impacts on lung development, exercise capacity, asthma and mental health, as well as concerns surrounding accidental nicotine exposure, battery-related injuries and the growing use of flavored nicotine pouches among young people. Finally, members of the study committee heard public testimony from several individuals who shared firsthand experiences with kratom, including stories of addiction, withdrawal, health consequences and the challenges faced by families affected by kratom use. Rep. Townsend also noted that some witnesses testified that natural leaf kratom provided them with beneficial effects, while several stated that the substance should not be sold at gas stations or vape shops and expressed support for keeping natural leaf kratom products regulated and accessible for individuals managing chronic medical conditions.
The next study committee meeting will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 9 a.m., at the Georgia Center in Athens, Ga. More information about the study committee meeting may be found here.
To watch the full study committee meeting, please click here.
Future meetings of the House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Youth Exposure to Kratom and Retail-Available Substances will be posted on the House schedule here.
Representative Rick Townsend represents the citizens of District 179, which includes a portion of Glynn County. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as Secretary of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. He also serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Education and Judiciary, Juvenile committees.
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