Why are coca leaves illegal in America?

Question

In many south american countries the coca leave is seen as a sacred leave because it prevents hunger, thirst among many other things. but y is it illegal in the u.s.?

Answer 1

Because American Government doesn't want anything out there that they cannot tax. Tobacco takes experience fertile land, etc. to grow/process... and ultimately can be taxed... Pot can be grown anywhere(thus a weed).. Now I don't know how well Coca leaves would grow in the US but I would imagine if it were legal, then many would try growing themselves either to avoid the tax or to sell on the open market and god forbid uncle Sam doesn't have his had in the growers pockets.
It is illegal because the government wouldn't be able to control and tax accordingly. Now when they figure out a way to do so, and prevent others from growing it themselves... you may see it..

Answer 2

Aside from the cocaine - preventing hunger and thirst are not wonderful things if you want people who are properly fed and not dehydrated. It may prevent FEELING those pangs, but it doesn't prevent the effects.

Answer 3

The same reason why marijuana leaves are illegal--they contain a drug. It's very easy to distill cocaine from coca leaves, which is a highly potent narcotic, and very much illegal.

Answer 4

Because if you had 2 tons of it sitting in your back yard, you could process a gram of cocaine out of it.

Answer 5

Because that is how you make cocaine.

Answer 6

can you say cocaine