Khat
Timeline
| 6th Century | One scholarly theory describes that khat use began in Yemen before the 6th Century at which time it was brought to Ethiopia. Another theory is that khat use began in Ethiopia itself before this time. 1 | |
| 1065 | The earliest printed reference to khat is found in the Kitab al-Saidana fi al-Tibb, a work on pharmacy and materia medica written by Abu al-Biruni 1 [Details] | |
| 1222 | Khat is first identified as a plant useful for its healing properties in an Arabic book of medicinal remedies by Nagib ad-Din as-Samarkandi of Turkestan. 1 | |
| c. 1400 | Al-Maqrizi (1364-1442) describes khat use in a history of the Ethiopian wars of the period. 2 [Details] | |
| 14th or 15th Century | The popular use of khat in Yemen begins in the southern part of the western highlands. 3 | |
| 17th Century | A poetic play written by Yemeni Jew Sholem bin Joseph al-Shibezi presents a dialog between coffee and khat, evidence that khat was in use by Yemeni Jews at this time. 1 | |
| 1775 | Swedish botanist Pehr Forsskal provides the first concise description of khat in European literature after visiting Yemen in 1763. 1 | |
| Late 19 Century | European scientists investigate the chemistry and pharmacology of khat. | |
| 1920s and 1930s | Khat-based pharmaceuticals and "agents of pleasure" are sold in London, including catha-cocoa milk. 2 | |
| 1930 | Cathine is first isolated from Catha edulis. | |
| 1970s | Cathinone is first isolated from Catha edulis. | |
| 1980 | WHO classifies khat as a drug of abuse. | |
| Mar 26, 1982 | The U.S. FDA issues the first of several Import Alerts about Catha edulis declaring it an unapproved drug and stating that it should be seized at the border. 4 | |
| May 17, 1988 | The DEA places cathine, one of the psychoactive alkaloids in khat, in Schedule IV on a temporary basis in order to comply with international treaties. Though formal scheduling was required within a "reasonable" period of time, no formal scheduling procedures have been undertaken and the temporary scheduling is still in effect. 5 | |
| Feb 9, 1993 | The FDA issues an additional Import Alert stating Catha edulis "will be subject to the same controls as cathine" and should be seized at the U.S. border. 6 | |
| 1993 | Cathinone is placed in Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States. |
References
- Kiple K, Ornelas K. The Cambridge World History of Food. Cambridge University Press. 2000.
- Rätsch C. The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants. Park Street Press. 1998.
- Kennedy JG. The Flowers of Paradise. Kluwer Academic Publishers. 1987.
- Federal Register. Vol 60(155): Aug 11, 1995.
- Erowid F. "Khat Faces Legal Challenges". Erowid Extracts. Nov 2007;13:3.
- Food and Drug Administration. "Automatic Detention Alert for Catha edulis". IA#66-23. Feb 9, 1993.