[BGHater]

FR-Khat

[sinanju]

Everything I ever read about khat is that it’s an expensive time and money-waster. The principle social cost in the countries where it’s chewed is that the menfolk spend money they cannot afford on it and spend hours each day, chewing and shooting the s-—t when they should be working.

Only during our Somali misadventure did the media discover it and start spreading rumors of it turning teenage milita members into berserker psychos. Malarkey.

Although, I’m quite sure a synthetic refined version could be just as bad as cocaine from coca leaves the plain leaf is relatively benign.

[RonF]

But in the United States khat is illegal, and an increased demand for the plant in cities such as Washington and San Diego is leading to stepped up law enforcement efforts and escalating clashes between narcotics officers and immigrants who defend their use of khat as a time-honored tradition. So what? Use of alcohol is a time-honored tradition in the U.S., but what would your Moslem brothers do if we traveled to Somalia and demanded to use it there? Just because something is a time-honored tradition where you come from doesn't mean it has to be accomodated where you go.

[Rudder]

I doubt, as the article claims, khat is both a stimulant and a narcotic. But don't blame Cynthia Dizikes, she's only a journalist.

[SunkenCiv]

Florida Biochemist designs a citrus tree with THC
The Crit | 05 Oct 2008 | The Crit
Posted on 01/05/2009 8:07:50 AM PST by BGHater
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2158990/posts