It's Raining Khats in California

“If you’ve never heard of khat, that wouldn’t be much of a surprise. In North America it’s an obscure African plant, [...] that's used as a social lubricant, recreational tool, and to stay alert at work. An estimated 10 million people around the world chew the tobacco-like substance every day…” The upshot is that the DEA and local narks don’t care that much about khat, because it’s classified as a Schedule IV narcotic, the lowest rating the feds have, and so the subsequent fines, jail sentences, and forfeiture opportunities, are so small. For now.