Bolivia hopes for buzz with coca campaign

In today's news, CNN reports Bolivia is urging countries to back a campaign to have coca removed from a United Nations list of banned drugs. It is said that coca is widely used in the Andes as a mild stimulant and herbal medicine. Also, some supporters state the leaves, which contain small amounts of cocaine, have several health and social benefits and dismiss claims it is dangerous. Nevertheless, the Bolivian President Evo Morales stated in the article that coca in its raw state is not an addictive drug and emphasizes that it has had a legitimate medical purpose for hundreds of years. In an attempt to win over the non supporters, Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca is urging leaders not to block its campaign. However, if there are no objections raised by January 31, the change will take place automatically. According to sources, Bolivia is currently the world's third biggest coca producer after Colombia and Peru, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, so if its campaign to legalize coca leaves is successful the country has much to gain.