By Gwurld4026 
Colombia Advocates for Cocaine Ingredient’s Reclassification
Colombia has formally requested that the United Nations remove the coca leaf from its list of harmful substances. This initiative, led by President Gustavo Petro, seeks to distinguish the traditional uses of the coca leaf from its association with cocaine production. The coca leaf has been used for centuries by indigenous communities in the Andean-Amazonian regions for medicinal, religious, and cultural purposes.
Since July 2023, Bolivia has urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to reassess the status of the coca leaf under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, aiming to correct what it considers a historical error. Bolivia, supported by Colombia, seeks to have the WHO review this classification, with a decision anticipated in 2025.
The WHO’s forthcoming review may lead to recommendations such as removing the coca leaf from the convention’s list, transferring it to a less restrictive category, or maintaining its current classification. This move reflects a broader effort to reconcile international drug policies with the rights and traditions of indigenous populations.
Colombia’s appeal to the UN underscores a growing recognition of the need to differentiate between the coca leaf’s cultural significance and its misuse in illicit drug production. The outcome of this initiative could have profound implications for drug policy and indigenous rights on a global scale