Opportunities and Regulatory Challenges for Coca Leaf in the Context of the Ongoing War on Cocaine

Transcript Abstract

In this presentation, Maria reflects on the status, challenges, and opportunities related to coca cultivation and its regulation in Colombia. Coca, a culturally significant and economically vital crop, serves dual roles: as a traditional and cultural resource and as a contributor to illicit cocaine markets. In Colombia, coca cultivation for the cocaine market occupies 253,000 hectares and accounts for an estimated 2–4% of national GDP. However, the market for non-psychoactive uses remains underdeveloped. Additionally, research on coca’s applications lags behind that of similar plants like cannabis. 

Although coca leaves have demonstrated medicinal, nutritional, and cultural benefits, restrictive legal frameworks impede broader scientific exploration. Current legislation in Colombia attempts to address these challenges with limited success. Globally, coca regulation is governed by the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which classifies coca as a narcotic. Bolivia has challenged this classification by promoting traditional use and advocating for WHO reassessment of coca’s harm profile. In Colombia, coca research and use are permitted under strict regulation, yet bureaucratic hurdles complicate research efforts. CESED has been pioneering inclusive coca research, focusing on partnerships between academia and communities. These efforts aim to foster sustainable livelihoods for rural communities, reduce reliance on illicit markets, and address global health and environmental challenges. Nonetheless, significant regulatory and market barriers persist. This presentation advocates for streamlined permitting processes, market characterization, and policies that support legal coca-based economies to unlock the plant’s full potential in the context of the ongoing war on cocaine.