In mid-July, a Washington state jury awarded $2.5 million to a family of a man who died after ingesting kratom to relieve back pain, marking the first wrongful death trial over the use of kratom in the U.S.

Now, 7-Eleven, Botanic Tonics and other distributors of the substance have been sued in California state court over the advertising and sale of the kava drink, “Feel Free Wellness Tonic,” as a safe, non-addictive and healthy alternative to alcohol.