
What Happened to Khat?
Once a widely available and affordable stimulant, khat was banned in the UK in 2014, reclassified as a Class C drug. This plant, traditionally chewed for its amphetamine-like effects, has since become less visible yet remains accessible to those seeking it—albeit at a much higher cost than a decade ago.
Despite the ban, experts argue that khat’s impact and prevalence in the UK remain under-researched. Dr. Neil Carrier, a social anthropology professor at the University of Bristol, notes that the drug has largely been overlooked by authorities, calling for more investigation into the effects of such policies.
A Closer Look at Khat
Khat, also known by names like qat, chat, miraa, and Abyssinian tea, contains active components cathine and cathinone. These compounds are responsible for the plant’s stimulant properties.
Before its ban, fresh khat leaves were sold for around £3 per bundle (250g) and were popular among East African communities, including Somalis, Yemenis, and Ethiopians. Social gatherings in designated khat cafés, or mafrishes, were common, where users chewed the plant in a communal setting.
Today, however, khat is often smuggled into the UK in a dried form, packaged discreetly as herbal products. Dried khat is less potent than its fresh counterpart and provides a less enjoyable experience due to its taste and texture.
The Ban and Its Consequences
The UK was one of the last EU countries to reclassify khat as an illegal substance, despite its long-standing cultural significance in certain communities. Before 2014, an estimated 2,500 tons of khat were imported annually, equivalent to the weight of approximately 208 double-decker buses.
Critics of the ban, including Dr. Carrier, argue that it was a missed opportunity to explore alternative regulations for recreational drugs. Instead of addressing broader societal issues linked to khat use, such as family dynamics and employment challenges, the drug itself became a scapegoat.
“We often give drugs too much power, labeling them as the root of societal problems,” Dr. Carrier explains. “In reality, the situation is far more complex.”
Khat in the Post-Ban Era
Despite the ban, khat remains accessible to those willing to pay a premium. Fresh khat, when available, can cost between £30 and £40 per bundle. For those seeking a cheaper alternative, dried khat has become more common.
Smuggling routes, particularly from Ethiopia, have adapted to meet the continued demand. While fresh khat remains preferred by many users, its scarcity has opened a market for the dried variety, even with its diminished effects.
Challenges in Tracking Khat’s Prevalence
Monitoring khat’s prevalence in the UK has proven difficult. Often grouped with other Class C drugs, such as cannabis, khat-specific seizure data is sparse. UK Border Force frequently categorizes it under generic labels like “other class,” complicating efforts to understand its distribution and use.
Dr. Carrier highlights this issue, emphasizing the need for more detailed data to evaluate the true impact of the ban.
Concluding Thoughts
Ten years after its reclassification, khat’s presence in the UK has shifted but not disappeared. While its availability has decreased and its cost increased, demand persists among those who value its traditional and cultural significance.
The story of khat raises important questions about drug policy and enforcement. Are bans effective, or do they merely push substances underground? For now, the UK’s approach to khat serves as a case study in the complexities of regulating culturally significant substances.
Source: BBC