Ninth Circuit District Attorney Mike O’Dell has a warning for his constituents: Use a substance containing alkaloids of the plant kratom and you will go to jail.
The warning comes after Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday signed into law a bill criminalizing products that use the plant, which is native to southeast Asia. A variety of products have been available statewide in gas stations, some retail stores and online.
They have been sold under names such as Viva Zen, K Chill, Medical Grade Kratom, Green Wen Extra Strength and Zombie Matter. The alkaloids in question are called mitragynine and hydromitragynine.
Products made with kratom are widely available in Alabama.
O’Dell, who represents DeKalb and Cherokee counties, said Wednesday that his office and local law enforcement are enforcing the new law immediately.
“Thus, I am issuing this notice and warning to anyone who is possession of, or offering for sale, Kratom under any of the brand names being utilized and containing the illegal alkaloids, that violation of the new law is a Class D felony, and you will be prosecuted,” O’Dell said in a statement.
