Biosecurity Act 2015  In New Zealand, khat is listed as a Class C drug, in the same category as cannabis and codeine. In South America, there is no legislation regarding khat; the active ingredients in the plant can be found in several weight control compounds sold in the continent. In 2009, the University of Minnesota launched the Khat Research Program (KRP), a multidisciplinary research and training program focusing on the neurobehavioral and health effects of khat, led by Prof. Dr. Mustafa al'Absi. The program was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute for Drug Abuse of the United States. The inaugural event for the KRP was held in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, in December, 2009 in collaboration with the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and its local affiliates.