Is Coca Legal in Canada?
No. Coca and coca leaves are a prohibited substance under Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Legal use of coca is limited to circumstances in which Health Canada issues a s. 56 exemption, though there is no record of an exemption ever being granted for its use.
What is Coca?
Coca, part of the genus Erythroxylum, is a tropical shrub mainly cultivated in South America.
It has been integral in the lives of Andean peoples for thousands of years; used to elevate mood, help with digestion, and suppress appetite. In Peru, coca leaves are sold practically everywhere, and are often consumed to help acclimatize people to high altitudes.
Coca is the whole plant from which cocaine is derived, but it contains many other active compounds. Coca has a much milder stimulant effect than purified cocaine. It is most commonly consumed in tea form or by chewing the leaves.
Medical or Therapeutic Use?
There is much more research available on the effects of cocaine than on the effects of whole coca. However, coca leaves are known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. They are reported to increase energy, support digestive health, suppress appetite, and treat altitude sickness.
Pre-clinical evidence supports potential therapeutic applications including moderating glucose metabolism, improving exercise tolerance, and supporting nutritional intake.
Coca is not associated with significant dependence or abuse potential.
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