Is Khat legal in Zambia?

Legal status

Controlled — PLANT NAMED. 'catha edulis commonly referred to as khat or miraa' is expressly named in s.18(3) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021 (repealing Cap. 96 of 1993), and the alkaloids cathine and cathinone are on the psychotropic schedule. Mechanism: NAMED (plant). No capital exposure: Zambia's death penalty does not extend to drug offences (drug ceiling = imprisonment), and Zambia is abolitionist-in-practice.

Consequences if caught

s.18(3) gives khat the SAME special treatment as cannabis — on admission of guilt, a fine not exceeding 1,200 penalty units and NO custodial term, via the Criminal Procedure Code admission procedure (s.18(4)). The general 15-year possession ceiling (s.18(2)) applies only where the matter is not resolved by admission; trading (s.17) can reach up to 25 years.

If prescribed or medical

Khat is traditional plant material with no recognised medical use and no lawful prescription route.

Documentation

Khat is expressly named and controlled but treated like cannabis: the ordinary pathway is an admission-of-guilt fine (up to 1,200 penalty units), not the headline custodial term.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Zambia’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.