GEORGIA
HB968
Tabled, in House Judiciary – Non-Civil Committee. A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 13 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to controlled substances, so as to provide that mitragynine and hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) are Schedule I controlled substances; to repeal provisions relating to the regulation of kratom; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
March 4, 2026
Progress: The bill has completed its “Second Reading” in the House. It must pass out of committee and then the full House before the “Crossover Day” deadline to remain viable for the session.


HB968 Schedules kratom
House Judiciary – Non-Civil Committee. A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 13 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to controlled substances, so as to provide that mitragynine and hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) are Schedule I controlled substances; to repeal provisions relating to the regulation of kratom; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.

Progress: The bill has completed its “Second Reading” in the House. It must pass out of committee and then the full House before the “Crossover Day” deadline to remain viable for the session.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 13 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to controlled substances, so as to provide that mitragynine and hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) are Schedule I controlled substances; to repeal provisions relating to the regulation of kratom; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Hearing Date: March 4, 2026 9:00 am EST
Georgia State Capitol
206 Washington Street, SW, Room 132
Atlanta, GA 30334.

Finding Room 132

• Entrance: Most visitors enter through the Washington Street entrance (the West side of the building).
• Security: After passing through the security checkpoint on the ground floor, you will be in the main atrium.
• Location: Room 132 is located on the 1st Floor (the main floor).
  • Once you clear security, look for the central rotunda.
  • The “100-level” rooms are situated around the perimeter of the first floor.
  • Signs are posted near the elevators and stairwells to guide you to the specific wing for the House Judiciary Committee.

Feature	Current Law (2024 KCPA)	Proposed Law (HB 968)
Legal Status	Legal (Regulated)	Illegal (Felony)
Age Limit	21+	N/A (Banned for all)
Sales	Behind the counter/labeling required	Prohibited
Classification	Herbal Supplement	Schedule I Controlled Substance

Arrival Time: The hearing starts at 9:00 AM. Because of the high interest in HB 968 and the standard morning security rush, it is highly recommended that you arrive by 8:15 or 8:30 AM.

Parking: The closest public parking is the Pete Hackney Parking Deck (162 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr. SE) or the Sloppy Floyd Building/Twin Towers parking. Be prepared for a 5-10 minute walk from the decks to the Capitol entrance.

Key Committee Leadership

Georgia House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil If you are reaching out regarding the bill, these are the primary points of contact for the committee:
Chairman Rep. Tyler Paul Smith 404-463-7853 tyler.smith@house.ga.gov
Vice Chairman Rep. Deborah Silcox 404-656-5125 deborah.silcox@house.ga.gov
Secretary Rep. Soo Hong 404-656-0188 soo.hong@house.ga.gov
Rep. Joseph Gullett: 404-656-0152 joseph.gullett@house.ga.gov
Rep. Sharon Cooper: 404-656-5069 sharon.cooper@house.ga.gov
Rep. Rob Leverett: 404-656-0213 rob.leverett@house.ga.gov
Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick: 404-656-0202 darshun.kendrick@house.ga.gov
Rep. Yasmin Neal: 404-656-0287 yasmin.neal@house.ga.gov

Here is a clean template you can copy and paste into an email or print for the committee. I’ve included brackets where you can choose the wording that best fits your stance.

Subject: Testimony Regarding HB 968 – House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (March 5 Hearing)

Dear Chairman Smith and Members of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee,

I am writing to you today as a [resident of Georgia / concerned citizen] to express my strong support for HB 968, which is scheduled for a hearing in your committee tomorrow, March 5th.

[If opposing: I am concerned that classifying kratom as a Schedule I substance will criminalize law-abiding citizens who rely on it for wellness. I believe the state should focus on enforcing the existing 2024 Kratom Consumer Protection Act rather than implementing a total ban.]

[If supporting: I believe that further restrictions are necessary to protect public health and ensure that unregulated substances are not easily accessible in our communities.]

This legislation will have a significant impact on many Georgians. I respectfully urge the committee to consider these consequences and [vote “No” / vote “Yes”] on this measure.

Thank you for your time and for your dedicated service to our state.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] [Your Address/City] [Your Phone Number]

Pro-Tips for Sending:

• Send Tonight: Since the hearing is at 9:00 AM tomorrow, sending this tonight ensures it is in their inboxes when they arrive.
• Subject Line: Using the bill number (HB 968) in the subject line is critical so the legislative aides can sort it properly.
• Personalize: Legislative committees value personal stories. If you have a brief, 2-sentence story about how this affects you personally, it can be very impactful.