Erowid Khat Vault : Timeline

Modern humans must learn how to relate to psychoactives
responsibly, treating them with respect and awareness,
working to minimize harms and maximize benefits, and
integrating use into a healthy, enjoyable, and productive life.

Khat

Timeline

by Erowid

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] Khat was described as "A commodity from Turkestan. It is sour to taste and slenderly made in the manner of batan-alu. But qat is reddish with a slight blackish tinge."
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] "Among them is a tree that is called gât. It does not bear fruit, people eat its leaves, and these resemble the small leaves of the orange tree. They expand the memory and in doing so call the forgotten back into mind. They give pleasure and diminish the desire for food, sexuality, and sleep. For the inhabitants of that land, not to mention the educated, the consumption of this tree is associated with great longing." [Rätsch, page 156]
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.