Indigenous groups in South America have been cultivating the coca leaf for 8 millennia. But when the coca leaf became the base ingredient for cocaine, its story changed. In 1961, the United Nations classified the coca leaf in the same category as cocaine itself, regulating it at the same level. But the coca leaf is not a narcotic drug—it is a mild natural stimulant, venerated as sacred by many. An international movement has been trying to decriminalize and destigmatize the coca leaf. This episode spotlights the Indigenous origins of the coca leaf, and what its future could be.

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.

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Indigenous groups in South America have been cultivating the coca leaf for 8 millennia. But when the coca leaf became the base ingredient for cocaine, its story changed. In 1961, the United Nations classified the coca leaf in the same category as cocaine itself, regulating it at the same level. But the coca leaf is not a narcotic drug&mdash;it is a mild natural stimulant, venerated as sacred by many. An international movement has been trying to decriminalize and destigmatize the coca leaf. This episode spotlights the Indigenous origins of the coca leaf, and what its future could be.
Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.
Follow the show to get every episode.
Want to support our independent journalism? <a href="https://futuro.supportingcast.fm/">Join Futuro+</a> for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts.
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Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa  Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world.

Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa&nbsp; Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what&rsquo;s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world.
Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Latino USA offers insight into the lived experiences of Latino communities and is a window on the current and merging cultural, political and social ideas impacting Latinos and the nation.

Latino USA

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa  Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world.  


Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

The Sacred Indigenous Story of the Coca Leaf

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/643d39b3-17f2-451c-bee0-b47f010daee4/transcript