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Old 02-09-2012, 14:31   #427
kestrelx
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Re: Should we 'legalise illegal drugs'? - Poll.

Quote:
Originally Posted by susie123 View Post
Seems like the drug of choice, Kes, according to this graph... but perhaps not legal for too much longer if the Tories have their way...

((From Wikipedia) Although concerns have been expressed by commentators, health professionals and community members about the use of khat in the UK, particularly by immigrants from Somalia, Yemen and Ethiopia, currently it is not a controlled substance.

As a result of these concerns, the Home Office commissioned successive research studies to look into the matter, and in 2005, presented the question of khat's legal status before the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. After a review of the evidence, the expert committee recommended in January 2006 that the status of khat as a legal substance should remain for the time being.

In 2008, Conservative politician Sayeeda Warsi stated that a future Conservative government would ban khat. The website of the Conservative Party, which is now the largest party in a coalition government in the UK, previously stated that a Conservative government would "Tackle unacceptable cultural practices by", amongst other measures, "classifying Khat". In 2009, the Home Office commissioned two new studies in the effects of khat use and in June 2010, a Home Office spokesperson stated: "The Government is committed to addressing any form of substance misuse and will keep the issue of khat use under close scrutiny".

Because it is legal in the UK, and because of khat's short shelf life, Britain serves as a main gateway for khat being sent by air to North America.
During a debate on the legality on the 11 January 2012, UK Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes Mark Lancaster, Conservative, stated importation of Khat into the UK stands at 10 tonnes every week.
Mmm well thanks for that Sue, probaly reason why it's been legal so long is that it's used by those people from Somalia and Yemen etc and is not the kind of thing that would appeal to British people for a social drug. Because it takes ages to chew and is quite a bad taste, also can't drink alcohol on it, kids in the UK just wouldn't take to this. 2 hours of chewing to get a high. It suits the ethnics because it's a social custom to sit round chewing it - but would not suit British Cultural social etiquette.

Also it can't be distilled or the main component extracted. It goes off radpidly and has to be consumed within 48hours after picking. It is flown over here in refrigerated planes and it's potency deteriorates rapidly.

Last edited by kestrelx; 02-09-2012 at 14:33.
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