UK - Council congratulated on report recommending regulation of 'khat'

[edgarshade]

Uxbridge Gazette

Jan 16 2012 By Jack Griffith

AN INVESTIGATION into the 'herbal high' khat, carried out by the borough last year, has been discussed in the House of Commons.

On Wednesday last week, Hillingdon Council was congratulated in parliament for its work by Conservative MP Mark Lancaster who called on the government to 'fulfil their very clear commitment' to ban the drug.

The 27-page report, published in May, includes accounts from expert witnesses from community groups, the UK Border Agency and police, health authorities and even the High Commission in Kenya - the country is a major exporter of the plant - who were consulted during the year-long review.

It addresses the economic benefits it brings to prodcuers, weighs up the the pros and cons of banning the drug completely, and considers other forms of regulation, such as its reclassification as a drug or a foodstuff.

The findings of the report are being looked at by the Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs, and an update on the report's findings will be given to the next council cabinet meeting on January 26.

More...
http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/we...ommending-regulation-of-khat-113046-30132638/

 

[wooger]

I doubt anything will happen, there isn't enough interest from the general public, but looking forward to the 26th tho.

 

[skillet]

Conservative MP Mark Lancaster who called on the government to 'fulfil their very clear commitment' to ban the drug.... Mr Lancaster told the Commons: "I commend Hillingdon Council’s recent report ... which was forthright enough to make recommendations to the Government on matters ranging from classification to temporary bans."

It says no such thing, the recommended legislative option was for the 'regulation of khat as a substance akin to tobacco and prohibition of the sale of khat in unlicensed premises.'

Here's the report, for anyone who's interested. It's not that much to read and actually very sensible.