Bolivia achieves coca-chewing victory at United Nations

[Judi Lynn]

11 January 2013 Last updated at 14:46 ET
Bolivia achieves coca-chewing victory at United Nations

Bolivia has achieved a victory in its campaign to decriminalise the chewing of coca leaves.

It has been re-admitted to the UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs with a special dispensation recognising the practice as legal in Bolivia.

Bolivia withdrew from the convention last year in protest at its classification of the coca leaf as an illegal drug.

The chewing of coca leaves is a centuries-old tradition in Bolivia.

Coca, the raw ingredient for cocaine, has been used in the Andes for thousands of years as a mild stimulant and sacred herbal medicine.

More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20994392

[alittlelark]

1. I flew into Cuzco 20 yrs ago - on the way to Machu Picchu

They gave us coca-tea before we even got off the plane. I thought it tasted nasty and didn't drink it. Spouse drank it. They gave us more at the luggage collection area, at the taxi kiosk, and as we got to the hotel. Each time I refused, spouse drank it.....

I spent 3 miserable days in the throes of altitude sickness w/ the hotel doctor coming every 2-4 hrs. Spouse checked out surrounding sites.

Bottom line - drink the tea when they tell you to.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Sorry for your lesson learned the hard way!

Outstanding comments and good advice for those of us who haven't experienced this.

It'd be nice if you went back and saw what's outside the hotel!

Great post.