House Bill 838 Summary

• Creates the "Mississippi Tianeptine Consumer Protection Act" regulating the preparation, distribution, and sale of tianeptine products through the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, requiring processors to register annually and prohibiting products with excessive residual solvents or inadequate labeling.

• Prohibits minors under 21 years old from purchasing, using, possessing, or transporting tianeptine products; requires retailers to store products behind the counter and post conspicuous age-restriction signage at distribution locations.

• Establishes civil penalties of up to $1,000 for first violations and up to $2,500 for subsequent violations of tianeptine regulations.

• Creates the "Mississippi Kratom Consumer Protection Act" under the Department of Revenue authority, prohibiting adulterated or contaminated kratom products, products with synthetic alkaloids, and products exceeding 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine in alkaloid composition.

• Establishes kratom penalties of up to $1,000 for first violations and up to $5,000 for subsequent violations; allows counties and municipalities to adopt stricter restrictions on both substances; effective July 1, 2023.