Is Khat legal in Canada?
- Legal status
- Controlled — BOTH plant and alkaloids NAMED. Catha edulis Forsk (plant, its preparations, derivatives and alkaloids including cathine) is listed at Schedule IV item 19 and cathinone at Schedule III item 19 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Mechanism: NAMED (plant + alkaloid).
- Consequences if caught
- Simple possession of a Schedule IV item is not itself charged, but import/export, trafficking and production are offences; CBSA routinely seizes khat (2,000+ kg seizures).
- If prescribed or medical
- Khat is traditional plant material with no recognised medical use and no lawful prescription route.
- Documentation
- Do not carry or mail khat into Canada — importing is a CDSA offence even though simple possession of a Schedule IV item is not charged.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Canada’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →