Officials in Etowah County are going to come down hard on all those still-involved in selling the now illegal substance known as Kratom.

Following the signing of a bill by Governor Robert Bentley earlier in the week, declaring the substance illegal – the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office hit a series of convenience stores from Attalla to Southside, reportedly seizing about $100,000 worth of product.

Kratom is sometimes marketed in small bottles as an “energy drink” or in powder form and the FDA says it can act as a stimulant in small doses and as a narcotic in heavier doses.

State Representative Mack Butler of Rainbow City called the substance highly addictive and said that he originally became involved with the issue because of his family’s background in substance abuse counseling.  He added “When Kratom comes into this country, it’s marked “not for human consumption…and that should tell you something.”

(al.com/www.al.com)