Members of the Somali community in the Midlands are urging the government to press ahead with plans to criminalise the herbal stimulant, khat.
Home Secretary Theresa May wants to re-grade the plant, a stimulant popular among Yemeni and Somali communities, as a class-C drug.
But the Commons Home Affairs Committee said this was contrary to scientific advice that it causes no social or medical harm.
Mohamed Sharif, a Somali community leader in Birmingham, said young and old were using it and it could bring on mental health issues.
Last year almost £14m worth was imported into the UK.
