Some immigrants want Canada to legalize khat

A mild stimulant popular at social gatherings in Africa and the Arabian peninsula should be made legal in Canada, say members of some immigrant communities in Ottawa.

The herb is a controlled substance in Canada, but increasing quantities are being smuggled in from countries such as Britain, where it is not prohibited.

'People use it similar to tea or beer.' Abdikadir Guled

Abdikadir Guled hosts an Ottawa radio show called Voice of Somalia where he said the topic of khat comes up often.

Guled, who immigrated from Somalia 18 years ago, has heard from many people who want the herb legalized in Canada and who are upset about the stigma against it in this country.

"Khat does not have this effect back home," he said, "mainly because it's cheaper, it's legal and it's a social gathering item. People use it similar to tea or beer."

Guled said khat can be abused, but it could be used responsibly if it were legal.

He added that its illegal status has led to a shady underground trade through smugglers and dealers.

"I can understand someone saying it should be banned, but that hasn't succeeded and it added to the problem," he said. "So I think it deserves a second look."

Canada should assess khat: MP

Liberal MP David McGuinty said he has heard similar concerns from a number of different cultural groups in his riding of Ottawa South, and he thinks a science-based assessment should be conducted to determine whether the drug could be decriminalized in Canada.

He added that the fact itis legal in other countries suggests that it should be treated slightly differently than other controlled substances.

"Again, it's about making a bit more elbow room for everybody who is here with us," he said. "We're one big multicultural place now you work by simply adapting and changing as the demands of new realities come forward."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Canadian Border Services Agency said the East African community blames khat for making people shiftless and lazy and has asked customs officials to stopitfrom coming into the country.

The agency said it iswatching for khat coming into Canada illegally but trafficking is more worrisome than personal possession.

Khat is a leafy herb native to East Africa that has long been chewed in parts of Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia and Yemen, to produce a mild high.

It contains the psychoactive substances cathinone and cathine.

The World Health Organization reported abuse of cathine in its 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and says cathinone has high abuse potential. It also warns that khat can cause toxic effects such as increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and migraine headaches.

According to RCMP, 17 tonnes of khat were seized in Canada in 2005 a 38 per cent increase from 2004.

Since January of this year, authorities have seized 42 kilograms of khat at the Ottawa International Airport, including ashipment last Wednesday.