Market stalls started selling kratom leaves after a bill was passed legalising its possession and sale in Thailand.

The herb, native to Southeast Asia, is known to have mild narcotic effects and is often used for its painkilling properties.

Footage shows vendors at the Din Daeng market in Bangkok displaying piles and baskets of kratom leaves, which they weighed and stored in clear plastic bags to sell to customers.

Thailand’s amended Narcotics Act delisted kratom as an illegal drug last May.

Meanwhile, it became legal to grow in Thailand last August 24, according to Thai Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin.

He said thousands of charges involving possession or sale of kratom will be dropped, while those convicted will be released immediately. The move is seen to ease pressure on Thailand’s overcrowded prisons.

Thailand now plans to produce kratom as an export crop, which Minister Somsak said will provide extra income for farmers.

Possession of kratom was previously punishable by up to two years in jail. Those found to have 10 or more kilograms faced fines as high as 200,000 baht (roughly 5,984 USD).