Kava Kava Now Illegal to Import

[Splatt]

Just like to remind anyone that imports Kava that is is now a banned import in Australia.

From the TGA site:

The Australian Government has decided to enforce existing regulations on kava importation. The changes will be effective from 25 June 2007 and from 26 June 2007 will apply to all kava imported before or after that date and not yet released into home consumption. These changes are a response to the abuse of kava, which is contributing to negative health and social outcomes in Indigenous communities.

The existing regulations provide for the importation of kava for medical or scientific purposes.

All imports of kava under existing permits that are not for medical or scientific purposes will be detained by the Australian Customs Service from 26 June 2007.

The Australian Government is considering the situation of existing permit holders that may have already finalised a contract of sale for shipment of kava other than for medical or scientific purposes on or before 26 June 2007. Further information can be obtained from the Office of Chemical Safety.

The existing approval that allows for the import of up to 2 kg of kava in the accompanied baggage of an incoming passenger (aged 18 years or over) to Australia will continue. This recognises that kava has traditional ceremonial and cultural uses for people of South Pacific Islander descent.

To find out more about how this change may affect you, please refer to the series of Frequently Asked Questions that have been developed.

In addition to enforcing existing regulations for the import of kava, the Australian Government is continuing to address the underlying factors that contribute to alcohol and substance abuse in indigenous communities. This includes implementation of measures arising from the Indigenous Summit on Violence and Child Abuse in Indigenous Communities and subsequent agreements of the Council of Australian Governments.
Background

Kava (also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum) is a member of the pepper family and has traditionally been cultivated within South Pacific Island communities for use as a cultural and ceremonial drink - either ground or chewed up and mixed with water or coconut milk.

Some Indigenous communities, particularly in the Northern Territory, are also known to use kava; however kava has not been a part of their traditional systems.

From 1997, imports of kava were permitted in accordance with the National Code of Kava Management and underpinned by relevant state and territory legislation governing supply and use. Kava has been imported to Australia from several South Pacific Islands where it is traditionally cultivated. Since 2002 the quantity of kava imported for supply in the Northern Territory has increased approximately ten-fold.

In addition to traditional uses, kava has limited use as a constituent in approved medicinal products. The Therapeutic Goods Administration regulates the type and quantity of kava that can be present in such medicines. More information on the evaluation of the therapeutic use of kava can be found at Kava Fact Sheet - April 2005.

I think you can still possess, sell or buy Kava inside the country, but for any use that isn't medical or scientific (and you possess a license to import it) you cannot import it anymore, and you may be subject to prosecution if you try to do so.

Will these new laws effect anyone on the forum, does anyone here use or import Kava regulary?

 

[EJ]

Good thing Ruben Wiki signed for the Warriors then.

 

[Kelly666]

I buy Kava Kava from an Australian online vendor who ships within Australia.
But if the vendor can't import it themselves anymore, then its going to be hard to get a hold of some i assume.
Some people will have to start growing it locally in QLD or something (if thats not already illegal)

 

[Tortoise]

One by one, our rights to use various psychoactives are taken from us. Salvia, kratom, Kava.... Sucks.

 

[Splatt]

Australia has some very shitty tight-arse drug, herb and import laws. Not even America is as bad, except for the penatlies.

 

[Nwalmaer]

Well thats just fucking stupid

Anyone whose tried kava would know its not really all that great for getting high on
Just makes an extra relaxing tea Calms nerves and promotes sleep

(ohh and apparently great for babies when teething)

 

[Splatt]

There is also reports that it doesn't cause liver damage like previously mentioned. Traditional preparations of Kava do not contain any stems, but the stems of the kava plant contain alkaloids that aren't active but can have damaging effects on the liver and other organs. The rest of the plant, and pure powder products without stems don't contain these nasty chemicals.

 

[lil angel15]

There is also reports that it doesn't cause liver damage like previously mentioned. Traditional preparations of Kava do not contain any stems, but the stems of the kava plant contain alkaloids that aren't active but can have damaging effects on the liver and other organs. The rest of the plant, and pure powder products without stems don't contain these nasty chemicals.

I guess the problem faced here is - How do you know that the powder being imported is 'pure', as you put it?

It's all good and well for the shop keeper or the importer to say it's pure, but doesn't every illicit dealer tell you how 'pure' their gear is......

 

[Splatt]

Yeah thats definitely a problem. There is one vendor I would trust on this as it is grown locally and he has a reputation, but I won't say it here for reasons opfcourse (so don't PM me eiother people please)

 

[intravenous]

What about people whose culture it plays a significant part in? Surely the government can't stop them from practising traditions that has existed within their family for thousands of years?

Fuck, if it wasn't for these bloody convictions hanging over my head I would've left this country long ago.

Peace and love.

 

[Splatt]

I think it mentions culture related usage in the FAQ.

Recognising that kava has traditional ceremonial and cultural uses for people of South Pacific Islander descent, the existing approval that allows for the import of up to 2 kg of kava in the accompanied baggage of an incoming passenger (aged 18 years or over) to Australia will continue.

The Australian Government has also introduced diversion control measures aimed at the monitoring and reporting of the remaining domestic use of kava. These measures will include building an electronic database for permitting, monitoring and reporting functions; and monitoring and coordinating the national ban on Kava (except for medical and scientific uses).

So my guess if you aint black you won't be able to import it. Use some fake islander names like Togo or something

I actually think thats a load of shit though, why can't everyone use it? Religion, Race and Culture shouldn't be a reason to allow certain people to keep taking a substance and not everyone else.
Hey my religion is shooting up ice and then G'ing out on the ice peak so i make a fool of myself in public, so let me use that in my rambling street ceremonies, punks!


It's similar to why Sishas are still allowed to be sold, but not bongs and pipes. Pipes and bongs can be used for tobacco too, but they're not banning Sishas/Hookahs (whatever theyre called, those big bongs with the multi hoses) because it's used by some cultures in Australia.

I use kava for cultural purposes. How can I get supplies of kava?

Kava for cultural use can only be brought into the country in the accompanied baggage of a person entering Australia. Any person aged 18 years or more entering Australia from overseas can bring up to 2 kg of kava (in root or dried form) into the country as part of their accompanied baggage.

Note that products listed or registered under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 cannot be imported via this mechanism.

Why has the allowance for 2 kg of kava in accompanied baggage been retained?

This practice has been maintained to reflect the cultural significance of kava use by people of South Pacific Islander descent.

 

[Tortoise]

Hey my religion is shooting up ice and then G'ing out on the ice peak so i make a fool of myself in public, so let me use that in my rambling street ceremonies, punks!

LOL!!!

But seriously.... you have a point. There are many that would argue "Salvia" or "DMT" use is a spiritual tool for them. Just because it's not a traditional rellgion though (at least not in Australia), it's disregarded.

This is becoming one pretty cocked-up country with all its rules and goddam regulations...

 

[tadfish]

I ordered some Kava extract that comes in proper bottle sealed and all from a bulk nutrition supplier, hopefully i will still be able to order it.
I think we all need to get any plants that can be used as drugs and grow them spread them before its too late. if we all join together we can keep plants like Kava, salvia etc. going

[EDIT: No need to play the race card. Lil Angel15]