The indigenous peoples of the Bolivian Andes have been chewing and brewing coca leaves for thousands of years–to combat altitude sickness, to provide energy in a low-oxygen environment, to partake in religious ceremonies.

They’ve been doing it illegally, however, since 1961, when the U.N.’s Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs prohibited the practice in one of the organization’s trademark strongly worded condemnations.

Bolivia has proposed that this arguably meddling and racist (and unarguably myopic and ignorant) dictum be stricken from the treaty; member countries have until January 31 to file their formal objections, and of course the United States of America will be strenuously opposing the move, according to “a senior U.S. Government official.” Continue reading →