How Britain's khat ban devastated an entire Kenyan town

Mild stimulant used to be Maua’s most valuable export, bringing prosperity to all involved
The Guardian (UK)
Friday, June 26, 2015

For more than two decades, Maua enjoyed booming business propelled by the growth and sale of khat, known locally as miraa, a popular herb whose leaves and stems are chewed for the mild high they offer. But last year the UK, home to one of khat’s biggest markets, declared the stimulant a class C drug and banned all imports, prompting Maua’s rapid descent into economic purgatory.

tags:
kenya | UK | mild stimulants | khat