Coca
Legal Status
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution : All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY | |
Erythroxylon coca | |
REGULATED | Yes |
STATUS | Scheduled |
SCHEDULE | Schedule II |
CLASSIFICATION | Stimulant |
Coca leaves and extracts of coca leaves are both Schedule II in the United States. This means they are illegal to sell without a DEA license and illegal to buy or possess without a license or prescription.
Despite the clear Federal and state law, coca leaves are widely available for commercial retail outlets in 2013 and have been for over a decade.
Despite the clear Federal and state law, coca leaves are widely available for commercial retail outlets in 2013 and have been for over a decade.
U.S. STATE LAW #
Illinois #
Illinois State Appellate Court for the Circuit Court of Cook County found that drinking coca tea without knowledge that it contains cocaine cannot be grounds for being fired as a police officer under "zero-tolerance drug testing" policies. See Garrido v Cook County Sheriff's Merit Board, June 9 2004.
If you have information about the unusual legal status of this substance in any other U.S. state, please let us know.
INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Bolivia #
Coca leaf is legal in Bolivia in its unrefined form. In recent years, under the presidency of Evo Morales (an indigenous south-American and former coca farmer) Bolivia has softened its stance towards coca. During Morales's presidency, he has vocally supported the traditional and ceremonial use of the coca plant. While coca's official legal status in Bolivia remains unchanged, the traditional uses of the coca leaf, by indigenous people, has become more widely accepted among officials. No real change has occurred regarding refined cocaine or its commercial production. (Thanks globalloon) (last updated Sep 20 2010)
Brazil #
The coca plant (Erythroxylum coca) is scheduled in Brazil, making it illegal to cultivate, though we have an unconfirmed report that is legal to possess up to 500 g of coca leaves. (thanks P)
Canada #
The coca plant ("Erythroxylon") including the leaves are schedule I in Canada.
New Zealand #
The leaf of any plant in the genus Erythroxylon is a Class C Controlled Drug in New Zealand, making them illegal to possess or sell, 'except a leaf from which all ecgonine, cocaine, and any other ecgonine alkaloids have been removed.".
United Kingdom (U.K.) #
The leaves of the coca plant are Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971. UK Law Vault.
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.
CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.