Are coca leaves legal in Bolivia?

Bolivian President Evo Morales has signed into law a controversial bill that nearly doubles the area that can be legally planted with coca crops. A total of 22,000 hectares (55,000 acres) can be planted with coca nationwide, compared with 12,000 hectares under previous legislation.

Why do Bolivians eat coca leaves?

The culturally valued leaf suppresses hunger, fatigue, thirst, and pain2. Many labor workers in Bolivia, especially those working the mines, who are expected to work long hours chew coca to give them energy, without having to feed themselves.

Where are coca leaves legal?

The cultivation, sale, and possession of unprocessed coca leaf (but not of any processed form of cocaine) is generally legal in the countries – such as Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentine Northwest – where traditional use is established, although cultivation is often restricted in an attempt to control the production …

Why is coca allowed in Bolivia?

Bolivia’s campaign to legitimize the coca leaf scored an important victory in 2013 when the country was granted international recognition of the right to consume the leaf domestically through an exception to the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Is coca leaf legal in Bolivia?

Coca leaves. Formally, coca in Bolivia is regulated by Law 1008, the Coca and Controlled Substances Regime Law (Spanish: Ley 1008, Ley del Regimen de la Coca y Substancias Controladas) which was passed by the government of President Víctor Paz Estenssoro in July 1988.

Why do Bolivians chew coca leaves?

LOCATOR: La Paz, BoliviaBolivians marked Akulliku dayby chewing on coca leavesCalendars officially marked the centuries-old tradition in 2016Indigenous women shared leaves with Bolivia’s culture ministerSOT (Spanish) Sabina Orellana, Bolivian Culture Minister, saying: “Coca leaves are very meaningful to the people of Bolivia because it’s always

How big is Bolivia’s coca plant?

The Bolivian government estimated that coca production had expanded from 1.63 million kilograms of leaves covering 4,100 hectares in 1977 to a minimum of 45 million kilograms over an area of at least 48,000 hectares in 1987. The number of growers expanded from 7,600 to at least 40,000 over the same period.

Who worked in the Bolivian coca network?

Besides growers, the coca networks employed numerous Bolivians, including carriers (zepeadores), manufacturers of coca paste and cocaine, security personnel, and a wide range of more nefarious positions. The unparalleled revenues made the risk worthwhile for many.