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Calls to legalise mind-bending drink necked by King Charles during overseas trip

King Charles drank kava on his recent visit to Samoa despite it being a criminal offence in the UK to sell, supply or import products containing the high-inducing plant

A photo of King Charles III drinking kava during a farewell ceremony at Siumu Village on the final day of the royal visit to Australia and Samoa. He is wearing a red scarf made of flowers and is wearing a grey suit
King Charles III drinking kava during a farewell ceremony at Siumu Village on the final day of the royal visit to Australia and Samoa.

Campaigners want a mind-bending brew swigged by King Charles to be legalised.

The monarch, 76, sipped kava on his recent visit to Samoa. He downed the potion despite it being a criminal offence in the UK to sell, supply or import products containing the high-inducing plant.


But activists say if it is fit for the King, it should be made legal.

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Simon Gellar from the Kava Coalition trade association asked: “Isn’t it time to reconsider its prohibition for everyone else?”

A man holding a small coconut shell full of brown water. Kava is a traditional and culturally significant beverage in Vanuatu
Kava is a traditional and culturally significant beverage in Vanuatu

Kava, dubbed “nature’s Valium”, is hugely popular in the South Sea islands and is made a shrub’s roots. Users say it leaves them feeling calm and relaxed but doesn’t affect their cognitive performance.


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Australia’s former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack accidentally drank too much of the drink in Vanuatu, Melanesia in 2022 and was admitted to hospital after going cross-eyed.

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