Comments on: U.N. International Narcotics Control Board calls on Bolivia to outlaw coca leaf http://gringotambo.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/un-international-narcotics-control-board-calls-on-bolivia-to-outlaw-coca-leaf/ Social scientists thinking about Bolivia Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:02:26 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Clare Sammells http://gringotambo.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/un-international-narcotics-control-board-calls-on-bolivia-to-outlaw-coca-leaf/#comment-186 Clare Sammells Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:13:16 +0000 http://gringotambo.wordpress.com/?p=156#comment-186 Shanqueros, that's an excellent observation about the exemption. Whenever people ask me what coca leaf tastes like, I describe it as the difference between Pepsi and Coca-cola. :-) While Coca-cola is, I believe, the largest international importer of coca, they never say anything publicly about the leaf, much less defend its cultivation. It's amazing how little the ignorant attitude of these institutions has changed since 1952. Thanks for that link! Shanqueros, that’s an excellent observation about the exemption. Whenever people ask me what coca leaf tastes like, I describe it as the difference between Pepsi and Coca-cola. :-) While Coca-cola is, I believe, the largest international importer of coca, they never say anything publicly about the leaf, much less defend its cultivation.

It’s amazing how little the ignorant attitude of these institutions has changed since 1952. Thanks for that link!

]]> By: Miguel Centellas http://gringotambo.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/un-international-narcotics-control-board-calls-on-bolivia-to-outlaw-coca-leaf/#comment-185 Miguel Centellas Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:34:37 +0000 http://gringotambo.wordpress.com/?p=156#comment-185 Wow. Yeah, those claims seem to go very far beyond the US statements on the matter, which have (if I remember correctly) recognized coca <i>leaf</i> as a legal product. Wow. Yeah, those claims seem to go very far beyond the US statements on the matter, which have (if I remember correctly) recognized coca leaf as a legal product.

]]> By: shanqueros http://gringotambo.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/un-international-narcotics-control-board-calls-on-bolivia-to-outlaw-coca-leaf/#comment-184 shanqueros Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:53:31 +0000 http://gringotambo.wordpress.com/?p=156#comment-184 I agree whole-heartedly with your post. Unfortunately, the blind equation of coca with cocaine is so pervasive it seems impossible to overcome. Your insight on the apparent contradiction between UN support for cultural right and the war on drugs is right on. I have found suprisingly repugnant commentary on the coca leaf promulgated on UN websites. “The Indian or the half-breed, when employed on the particularly arduous work of minerals deep down in the mines, chews coca leaf in order to mitigate the pangs of hunger and thirst and to be able to make the muscular effort required of him. The effects of coca chewing, seemingly beneficial, are in reality harmful, mentally and physically, to its addicts. The coca chewer is an odd figure: he shuns society and is shunned in return because of the wad of coca in his mouth with its nauseating odour.” Raul Perez Alcala, "The Coca Question in Bolivia," 1952 accessed October 2006 from UN Office on Drugs and Crime website: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/bulletin/bulletin_1952-01-01_2_page005.html Speaking of sugar, nice exemption in the convention for flavoring agents, i.e. Coca-cola. I think most people would agree coca tea is overally a healthier beverage than Coke. I have also read of a Harvard study from the 1970s that analyzed the nutritional value of coca and found it contained high levels of Vitamin A and Iron, in addition to protein. Does anyone know where a copy of the study can be located? I have only seen in referenced on the coca museum website and discussed in Jorge Hurtado's book: Cocaine The Legend. Part of the problem with the prohibition of the coca leaf is that it is difficult to find objective scientific research on it properties... I agree whole-heartedly with your post. Unfortunately, the blind equation of coca with cocaine is so pervasive it seems impossible to overcome. Your insight on the apparent contradiction between UN support for cultural right and the war on drugs is right on. I have found suprisingly repugnant commentary on the coca leaf promulgated on UN websites.

“The Indian or the half-breed, when employed on the particularly arduous work of minerals deep down in the mines, chews coca leaf in order to mitigate the pangs of hunger and thirst and to be able to make the muscular effort required of him. The effects of coca chewing, seemingly beneficial, are in reality harmful, mentally and physically, to its addicts. The coca chewer is an odd figure: he shuns society and is shunned in return because of the wad of coca in his mouth with its nauseating odour.”

Raul Perez Alcala, “The Coca Question in Bolivia,” 1952 accessed October 2006 from UN Office on Drugs and Crime website: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/bulletin/bulletin_1952-01-01_2_page005.html

Speaking of sugar, nice exemption in the convention for flavoring agents, i.e. Coca-cola. I think most people would agree coca tea is overally a healthier beverage than Coke.

I have also read of a Harvard study from the 1970s that analyzed the nutritional value of coca and found it contained high levels of Vitamin A and Iron, in addition to protein. Does anyone know where a copy of the study can be located? I have only seen in referenced on the coca museum website and discussed in Jorge Hurtado’s book: Cocaine The Legend. Part of the problem with the prohibition of the coca leaf is that it is difficult to find objective scientific research on it properties…

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