Bolivia presents proposal to declassify coca from drug status to ambassadors in Vienna

David Choquehuanca, Bolivia’s Vice President, has presented a proposal to declassify the coca leaf from the status of a narcotic drug to ambassadors of various nations at the United Nations (UN) in Vienna, as reported by the Secretary General of the Vice Presidency, Juan Carlos Alurralde.

“The Vice President [of Bolivia] eloquently clarified the historical context, reasons, and justification for this initiative from a scientific standpoint, as well as indigenous people’s rights and international law,” Alurralde revealed in a statement issued by the Bolivian Vice-Presidency.

He elaborated on Choquehuanca’s self-critical evaluation of the Conventions on Narcotic Drugs, particularly in the case of the coca leaf.

Choquehuanca revealed in the meeting that the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Technical Committee on Drug Dependence had been contacted and will be entrusted with reviewing the coca leaf for potential reclassification.

He stated, “We have formally requested the inclusion of experts in natural medicine, the traditional medicine of the WHO, and specialists on indigenous peoples’ rights in this Committee on Drug Dependence. This team will undertake a comprehensive review in the near future.”

In 1961, the Vienna Convention included the coca leaf in list No. 1 of narcotic drugs, restricting its free sale outside the countries where it is grown.

Bolivia is presently championing an international movement to remove the coca leaf from the narcotics category, allowing for its export and industrialization.

Ambassadors from Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina communicated their support for Bolivia’s initiative to Choquehuanca.

They pledged to aid in the declassification process, per information released by the Bolivian Vice-Presidency.

According to United Nations monitoring data, Bolivia is the third-largest coca producer in South America, with about 25,300 hectares, trailing behind Colombia and Peru.

The coca leaf’s commercialization is legal in Bolivia for traditional uses such as chewing by workers and peasants, in herbal teas, and in traditional medicine.

However, coca diverted to the illegal market is often used in the production of cocaine base paste.

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