About this project
Alabama Substance Watch is a community-run project that tracks gas stations, smoke shops, and other retailers reported to be selling 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), kratom, or related unlabeled "relaxation shot" products in Alabama.
- Legal status
- Mitragynine & 7-OH are Schedule I controlled substances in Alabama, since 2016 (Ala. Code § 20-2-23).
- State enforcement
- March 25, 2026 — the Alabama AG issued a statewide cease-and-desist order against retailers selling these products, warning Alabama "will not be a marketplace for dangerous, illegal substances."
- Penalty for selling
- Felony prosecution, inventory/asset seizure, and loss of business licenses.
Why this exists
These products are frequently sold under unrelated brand names, marketed as harmless relaxation aids, and placed next to energy drinks at checkout counters — often without any indication of what's actually in them. Community members are often the first to notice a new product on a shelf, long before it shows up in a state enforcement action. This site exists to make that local knowledge visible and to make it easy to route to the agencies that can actually act on it.
How a listing becomes "Verified"
Every submitted tip starts as pending and is not shown publicly. A moderator only marks a listing verified when the submission includes specific, checkable detail — ideally a photo of the product and its labeling, a receipt, or a product name that matches a brand identified in official reporting (such as the Alabama AG's cease-and-desist order or local news coverage). Vague, second-hand, or unverifiable claims are not published. Listings can be moved back to pending, rejected, or removed at any time if new information comes in.
This is not an accusation of a crime against any individual
A listing reflects a report that a location was observed selling a specific product — it is not a legal finding, and it does not claim that any specific person committed a crime. Businesses, employees, or anyone with more accurate information can find a listing and use the "Dispute this listing" link on its page at any time. Disputes are reviewed by a moderator, and listings are corrected or removed when warranted.
What we don't do
- We don't file police reports on anyone's behalf — see the Report to Law Enforcement page for the real channels to do that yourself.
- We don't publish submitters' names or contact information.
- We are not a law firm, and nothing on this site is legal advice.
Contact
Press, legal, or removal requests: alabamasubstancewatch@protonmail.com