Why the Herbal Stimulant 'Khat' Was Banned
By
Marc Lallanilla, Live Science Contributor | July 3, 2013
The
The
British government has decided to ban the import and use of khat, after years of
turning a blind eye to the herbal stimulant.
turning a blind eye to the herbal stimulant.
As
recently as January 2013, the U.K. Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs had
declared there is "insufficient evidence" that khat causes any serious health
effects, the BBC reports.
recently as January 2013, the U.K. Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs had
declared there is "insufficient evidence" that khat causes any serious health
effects, the BBC reports.
The
decision, announced today (July 3), has many outside the khat-using community
wondering what exactly khat is, and why its use was allowed in the U.K. and
elsewhere for so long. [Trippy
Tales: The History of 8 Hallucinogens]
decision, announced today (July 3), has many outside the khat-using community
wondering what exactly khat is, and why its use was allowed in the U.K. and
elsewhere for so long. [Trippy
Tales: The History of 8 Hallucinogens]
What
is khat?
is khat?
Khat
is a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
The plant (Catha
edulis)
contains two alkaloids, cathinone and cathine, which act as stimulants.
is a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
The plant (Catha
edulis)
contains two alkaloids, cathinone and cathine, which act as stimulants.
Users
simply chew the green khat leaves, keeping a ball of partially chewed leaves
against the inside of their cheek (not unlike chewing tobacco).
simply chew the green khat leaves, keeping a ball of partially chewed leaves
against the inside of their cheek (not unlike chewing tobacco).
The
dried leaves can also be used in this way, though they have less potency. Some
khat users also smoke the drug, make it into tea or sprinkle it on
food.
dried leaves can also be used in this way, though they have less potency. Some
khat users also smoke the drug, make it into tea or sprinkle it on
food.
An
ancient tradition
ancient tradition
Use
of khat has been a tradition for centuries throughout Somalia, Yemen and
Ethiopia, where khat cafes ("mafrishes") are often found. Khat leaves are chewed
by students before exams, in the morning before work or at social gatherings,
according to the Los
Angeles Times.
of khat has been a tradition for centuries throughout Somalia, Yemen and
Ethiopia, where khat cafes ("mafrishes") are often found. Khat leaves are chewed
by students before exams, in the morning before work or at social gatherings,
according to the Los
Angeles Times.
The
effects of khat (also known as qat, qaad, Arabian tea, kat and chat) are similar
to those of other amphetamines, according to authorities like the Drug
Enforcement Administration. Khat users report feelings of well-being, mental
alertness, excitement and euphoria.
effects of khat (also known as qat, qaad, Arabian tea, kat and chat) are similar
to those of other amphetamines, according to authorities like the Drug
Enforcement Administration. Khat users report feelings of well-being, mental
alertness, excitement and euphoria.
Though
khat is generally described as a mild stimulant, there is consistent evidence of
overuse and addiction. Long-term use or abuse has been linked to "insomnia,
anorexia, gastric disorders, depression, liver damage" and heart attack,
according to a 2009 study from the Austrian medical journal Wiener klinische
Wochenschrift. [The
9 Oddest Medical Case Reports]
khat is generally described as a mild stimulant, there is consistent evidence of
overuse and addiction. Long-term use or abuse has been linked to "insomnia,
anorexia, gastric disorders, depression, liver damage" and heart attack,
according to a 2009 study from the Austrian medical journal Wiener klinische
Wochenschrift. [The
9 Oddest Medical Case Reports]
"Manic
and delusional behavior, violence, suicidal depression, hallucinations, paranoia
and khat-induced psychosis have also been reported," the study authors
wrote.
and delusional behavior, violence, suicidal depression, hallucinations, paranoia
and khat-induced psychosis have also been reported," the study authors
wrote.
Immigrants
spread khat use
spread khat use
As
immigrants from East Africa and the Middle East have settled in communities
throughout Europe and North America, they have brought their tradition of khat
with them, causing some friction between khat users and law enforcement
officials.
immigrants from East Africa and the Middle East have settled in communities
throughout Europe and North America, they have brought their tradition of khat
with them, causing some friction between khat users and law enforcement
officials.
In
Canada, the United States and most of Europe, khat is a controlled substance,
often placed in the same category as cocaine.
Traditional users of khat, however, balk at that association.
Canada, the United States and most of Europe, khat is a controlled substance,
often placed in the same category as cocaine.
Traditional users of khat, however, balk at that association.
"It
is a very touchy subject. Some people see it like a drug; some people see it
like coffee," Abdulaziz Kamus, president of the African Resource Center in
Washington, D.C., told the Times. "You have to understand our background and
understand the significance of it in our community."
is a very touchy subject. Some people see it like a drug; some people see it
like coffee," Abdulaziz Kamus, president of the African Resource Center in
Washington, D.C., told the Times. "You have to understand our background and
understand the significance of it in our community."
"It
is definitely not like coffee," Garrison Courtney, spokesman for the Drug
Enforcement Administration, told the Times. "It is the same drug used by young
kids who go out and shoot people in Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. It is
something that gives you a heightened sense of invincibility."
is definitely not like coffee," Garrison Courtney, spokesman for the Drug
Enforcement Administration, told the Times. "It is the same drug used by young
kids who go out and shoot people in Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. It is
something that gives you a heightened sense of invincibility."
Indeed,
many experts believe the drug is linked to violence in Somalia. A 2007 study
from PLOS Medicine found that more than 36 percent of Somali combatants had used
khat during the prior week — and khat use was believed to be even higher than
that in some regions of the war-torn country, the study authors
noted.
many experts believe the drug is linked to violence in Somalia. A 2007 study
from PLOS Medicine found that more than 36 percent of Somali combatants had used
khat during the prior week — and khat use was believed to be even higher than
that in some regions of the war-torn country, the study authors
noted.
Is
khat funding terrorism?
khat funding terrorism?
In
Western Europe, there are concerns that the sale of khat is used to fund
terrorism. Last year, the Huffington
Post UK reported
that every aspect of khat, from its cultivation to the mafrishes where it's sold
and chewed, supports the al-Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia.
Western Europe, there are concerns that the sale of khat is used to fund
terrorism. Last year, the Huffington
Post UK reported
that every aspect of khat, from its cultivation to the mafrishes where it's sold
and chewed, supports the al-Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia.
The
U.K. ban on khat was initiated in part to prevent the country from becoming a
center for smuggling khat to other countries where the drug has long been
illegal.
U.K. ban on khat was initiated in part to prevent the country from becoming a
center for smuggling khat to other countries where the drug has long been
illegal.
"Failure
to take decisive action and change the U.K.'s legislative position on khat would
place the U.K. at a serious risk of becoming a single, regional hub for the
illegal onward trafficking," British Home Secretary Theresa May said in a
statement.
to take decisive action and change the U.K.'s legislative position on khat would
place the U.K. at a serious risk of becoming a single, regional hub for the
illegal onward trafficking," British Home Secretary Theresa May said in a
statement.
But
the U.K. ban has met with some protest. "Prohibition is the most foolish
possible response," Ian Dunt said on Politics.co.uk.
"All the data on drug use shows that a ban does not eliminate demand, it merely
forces the product underground."
the U.K. ban has met with some protest. "Prohibition is the most foolish
possible response," Ian Dunt said on Politics.co.uk.
"All the data on drug use shows that a ban does not eliminate demand, it merely
forces the product underground."
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