United Nations Convention Psychotropic Substances

Chewing leaves of the khat shrub is practiced in parts of East Africa and the Arabian peninsula (Kalix 1988 Widler et al. 1994). Some estimate daily use at 5 million portions. Use in the West is less common, but has increased somewhat. More common in the United States has been use of the synthetic drug methcathinone (or "cat"), which is derived from khat alkaloids. Only the fresh khat leaves are pharmacologically active, so for some time use was limited to local areas that grew the plant. However, with air transportation, use has spread with emigrants in Europe and the United States. Because of its pharmacological similarities to amphetamine and its addictive properties, khat has been listed on Schedule I of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. 

The international community looks with interest at what results have been achieved and what further action is needed after nearly two decades of precursor control. Within its mandate under article 12 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, the International Narcotics Control Board has a unique position and responsibility to provide some answers to those questions. 

A. Status of adherence to the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 and reporting by Governments pursuant to article 12... 

Governments of the countries and territories listed in the table below have provided on form D information on licit trade in, uses of and requirements for substances in Tables I and II of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 for the years 1999-2003. That information was requested in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/20 of 24 July 1995. Details may be made available on a case-by-case basis, subject to confidentiality of data. 

Cathinone and cathine are controlled under the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. In the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and most of the Middle East, excluding Yemen, the leaf itself is banned. The khat plant is not controlled under domestic law in the United Kingdom. 

The World Health Organizahon adopts the definition of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Drugs (1971). Drug abuse means the use of psychotropic substances in a way that woidd constitute a public health and social problem. ... 

Substances Act). The classification of psilocybin, psilocin, and many other entheogens as dangerous drugs is primarily based on socio-political reasons rather than clinical-scientific evidence. Psilocybin, psilocin, and DMT are also internationally classified as Schedule 1 substances by the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. 

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