Chewing Coca leaves legal again in Bolivia: a rare victory for reason in the drug wars

[Garbarsardar]

The chewing of the coca leaf, a practice dating back a mere 8,000 years was re-legalised yesterday, in what appears to be a rare victory for science, common sense, and logic.

The UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs in a special dispensation recognised the practice as legal in Bolivia.

Why was it made illegal in the first place, is indeed mind-boggling. In 1961 the coca leaf was listed on Schedule I of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs together with cocaine and heroin, with a strict control level on medical and scientific use (see a historic clip from the convention here). The decision was based on a 1950 report commissioned by the UN, which I have read, and I have serious doubt that anyone voting back then took the trouble to even look at. For example, in page 93, it states that "chewing is not an addiction in the medical sense but a habit" and procedes to list 3 (three) effects of chewing: 1. Malnutrition due to constant activity 2. Undesirable changes in moral character which hinders the prospects of obtaining a higher social status (I kid you not) and 3. Loss of productivity.

Now, 60 years later, we do know more on the effects of chewing, (see the clinical effects here) which while not making chewing benign, certainly do not put it above alcohol and nicotine in terms of health hazards and addiction potential. It is also funny (as in hypocritical) that the countries objecting to that (namely United States, Mexico, Japan, Russia, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Israel and Ireland) have no qualm of letting their citizens smoke and drink.

Of course, the reason for such objections is not the care for the Bolivian farmers and workers but the instinctive association of the leaf with cocaine, the production, importation and use of, these countries have failed to hinder despite some isolated suspicious claims to the contrary.

[sumskilz]

Why was it made illegal in the first place, is indeed mind-boggling.

One local factor was an attempt to force the Quechua to integrate. Chewing coca is central component of Quechua religious and cultural ritual. It also provides nutrients that are otherwise non-existent in their traditional diet and helps them function at high altitudes in their daily life. At that time especially, “indios” were viewed very negatively by “mestizos” but the ethnic difference was (and is) defined by culture rather than genetic heritage.

[calicheSCOT]

Excellent news.

Having spent considerable time in Peru I know that this practice is not only habitual but also cultural. It is far better that farmers can utilize the coca crops for consumption and turn a profit legally than leaving it to the cartels. It also has the added benefit of alleviating the symptoms of altitude sickness.

[JP226]

Why was it made illegal in the first place, is indeed mind-boggling.

You think the primary input for cocaine being made illegal is "mind boggling?"

[justicar5]

You think the primary input for cocaine being made illegal is "mind boggling?"

Considering the perfectly legal chemicals that go into making such things as fertilizer bombs and napalm like substances yes.

[JP226]

Considering the perfectly legal chemicals that go into making such things as fertilizer bombs and napalm like substances yes.

Is there a napalm epidemic I didn't know about?

[sumskilz]

Is there a napalm epidemic I didn't know about?

Yes, but the relationship between pseudoephedrine and methamphetamine might be a better comparison.

[JP226]

Yes, but the relationship between pseudoephedrine and methamphetamine might be a better comparison.

That would be a better comparison, but the way I understand meth is that it's ingredients are essentially cleaning supplies which have multiple uses and it's not practical to outlaw. Coca leaves are pretty cut and dry.

[Thorn777]

not best america...let people be peoples

Also

"The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this country is closely connected with this."

Albert Einstein, "My First Impression of the U.S.A.", 1921

[JP226]

What was made illegal was the practice of chewing coca leaves. What is mind boggling was that a product which cannot be equated to heroin and cocaine was classified up there with those, for bizarre reasons (which I cite in the OP) while it is probably comparable to alcohol and tobacco (still having less health impact than either alcohol or tobacco).

I'm not about to make assumptions regarding your background but come on sir... Why would they outlaw chewing Coca leaves other than to disrupt the production of them and cocaine? Or can cocaine be made other ways? It's an input, not a product....

[Garbarsardar]

I'm not about to make assumptions regarding your background but come on sir... Why would they outlaw chewing Coca leaves other than to disrupt the production of them and cocaine? Or can cocaine be made other ways? It's an input, not a product....

Apparently for 8000 years it was a product. Even if what you say is true (and I do not discount this possibility) it changes few things. An ineffective decision, under an unsupported pretext, characterized by a negligent disregard of facts, was overturned. Nice.

[Facupay]

I went to Bolivia a few years ago. It's exhausting to walk in the Altiplano. One day we were walking with my group and more, I told the guide I was going back to the hotel to rest, he gave me some coca leaves to chew and after some minutes I felt completely revitalized and kept walking through the mountains the rest of the day.

Coca leaves beat Red Bull, Gatorade and Speed any day, you should try it.

[Kanaric]

its hilarious that they can ban chewing the leaves of a plant that is just common laying around