Fultondale Police Chief David Smith (right) and Lt. Alan Rogers destroyed the illegal Kratom products turned over to them by local businesses, in accordance with the law. 

On Tuesday, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley signed a law making it illegal to possess or sell products containing derivatives of the Kratom plant. The derivatives Miragynin and Hydromitragynine are now classified as Schedule 1 drugs.

Once the governor signed the bill into law, any violation is considered a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years and a fine of up to $7,500 per offense.

Alabama is the sixth state in the nation to ban Kratom derivatives, which experts say has a high risk of creating dependency and has even been reported to cause many of the same complications as prescription narcotics.

In response to the new law, Fultondale Police visited each convenience store inside the city to notify them that the products were now illegal and all products must be disposed of via proper channels for its new drug classification.

Fultondale Police Chief David Smith said the business owners were very willing to work with the department and most handed over their remaining supply of the product. Smith and Lt. Alan Rogers spent part of the day Thursday with the city’s street department disposing of the surrendered materials.

The products have been found most commonly in small “shot” bottles that sell for $7 or more each, but have also been available in pill, powder and leaf form. It is sold under a variety of names that include Green Vein, Krishina Green Malay, Krazy Kratom, K Chill, Kali Green Indo, Viva-Zen, Viva-Lize and Zombie Matter.

Morris police said they had not seen any of the products in their local businesses. Gardendale Police said Thursday they were in the process of notifying their businesses and ensuring the product is not on the shelves.