Thursday 5 June 2008

Khat

Interesting item on tonight's Channel 4 news about the Tories' announcement that they intend to criminalise khat if they get into power. I've heard some persuasive arguments from Somali constituents in support of a ban, although opinion is divided. Not sure I agree with Brian Iddon MP, who is I think chair of the All-Party Group on Drug Misuse, and who said on tonight's programme that if khat was criminalised it would just create an illegal trade, with the crime associated with cross-border smuggling. I can't quite see how khat could be smuggled, or at least not on an economically viable basis - according to the footage tonight, you need to consume the equivalent of a small houseplant to get high. Will see what people in Bristol have to say.

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