health
February 10, 2026
‘Coca leaf is life itself’: Andean growers’ hopes fade as WHO upholds global curb
Under US pressure as part of the ‘war on drugs’, the WHO still categorises the sacred Indigenous remedy as akin to heroin or fentanyl, despite its many therapeutic properties
TL;DR
- Andean people have used coca leaves for thousands of years for fatigue, altitude sickness, and other ailments.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) refused to change the coca leaf's status, keeping it on the same list as heroin and fentanyl.
- A recent WHO review found that coca leaf does not harm human health but cited public health concerns related to cocaine use.
- Bolivia and Colombia requested the WHO reclassify coca leaf, but the organization cited limited scientific evidence for broader international trade.
- Growers argue that the classification pushes them into the illegal cocaine market and prevents legal international trade of coca-based products.
- The WHO mentioned concerns about rising cocaine seizures and consumption globally in its decision.
- Opponents of the WHO decision argue that converting coca leaf to cocaine is not economically viable for legal market products.
- Alleged US pressure and defunding of the WHO may have influenced the decision to maintain the existing classification.
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