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[index]

COCAINE
byMichaelValentineSmith
TheleavesofErythryoxyloncoca,fromwhichcocaineisobtained,wereusedbytheIncasatleast1,000
yearsago.TheannualconsumptionofcocaleafinSouthAmerica(mainlyBoliviaandPeru)byabouttwenty
millionusersamountstoabout150,000poundsofcocaine.Theychewtheirleaveswithlime(CaO,etc.)
whichdegradescocainetoecgoninebutthiscompoundstillrelieveshungerandfatigue.Cocaineproduces
littleeffectorally,sosniffingisthepreferredrouteofadministration.Regardingitssupposedaphrodisiac
properties,itisinterestingthatonenativelegendascribedthemagicaloriginofthecocaleaftothe
fascinationofaconquerorforthebrighteyesofaprincesswholovedhimtodeath.Theplantgrowsin
AustraliaandAfrica,aswellasinWesternSouthAmerica,andmuchcocainewasproducedinJava.Other
speciesofthegenusseemtoproducelittleornococaine.
Cocacolagotitsnamefromthecocaleafextractwhichitcontained(asdidavarietyofwines)until1904.
Neithertolerancenorphysicaladdictiontococaineseemtooccur,sosniffingitoccasionallyshouldbequite
safe.
Cocainehasstructuraland
pharmacologicalsimilaritiestothe
activeconstituentsofbelladonnaand
jimsonweedandcanlikewisespaceyou
outinveryundesirableways,expecially
ifusedfrequently.Also,aswithevery
drug,somepeopleareverysensitiveto
itandcanbecomeparanoid,etc.with
verylittleexposure.Cocainebase
("freebase")ismuchmore
euphorigenicthancocaineand
consequentlymuchmoredamaging.It
seemstohavetheaddictivepullofheroinformanyusersandisprobablybestavoided.
Cocaleafcontainslecgonine,cinnamylcocaineandalphaandbetatruxillylecgonine(cocamine),whichcan
beconvertedtococaine,butdecgonineorpseudoecgonineleadstoisomerswhicharedevoidofthestrong
centralstimulatingeffectsoflcocaine.Duringtheprocessofisolationfromtheleaf,lcocaineisconvertedto
ecgonine(tropan3betaof2betacarboxylicacid),whichiseasilyreconvertedtolcocaine(benzoylecgonine
methylester).

CocaineExtraction
Cocainecanbeextractedfromtheleaveswithalmostanyorganicsolvent.Moistenthedried,powdered
leaveswithNacarbonatesolutionandextractwithcoldbenzeneorpetroleumether.Extracttheorganic
solutionwithsmallamountsofdilutesulfuricacidandbasifytheextractwithNacarbonate(thealkaloids
precipitate).Dissolvetheprecipitateinether,separatetheetherfromtheaqueousNacarbonateanddryand
evaporateinvacuumtheether.DissolvetheresidueinmethanolandheatwithsulfuricacidormethanolHCl
dilutewithwaterandextractwithCHCl3.Concentrateandneutralizetheaqueouslayerandcooltoprecipitate
methylecgoninesulfate,whichisconvertedtococaineinonestep.Thealkaloidscanalsobeextracteddirectly
fromthepowderwithdilutesulfuricacid.
CocaineFromCocaPaste
Thisprocess(seeBull.onNarcotics17,29(1965))isoptionalsincethepasteisusuallygreaterthan70%
cocaine.
Dissolve1gcocapastein10ml3%sulfuricacid,coolto0Candaddwithstirring8ml6%KMnO4and10%
sulfuricacid,1mlatatimeoveronehour.Letstand0.5hourandaddpowderedoxalicacidwithstirringuntil
theprecipitatewhichhasformeddissolves.Extracttwicewithether,basifytheaqueoussolutionwithNH4OH
andextractfourtimeswith18mlether.Dryandevaporatetheetherinvacuumtogetcocaine.Theaqueous
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solutioncontainsecgonine,whichcanbeconvertedtococaineasshownbelow.

CocaineSynthesis
Thezincmercuryamalgamusedforreductionhereandelsewherecanbepreparedasfollows.Addmossy
zinc(powderedwillprobablydo)to1%aqueousHgCl2,stirawhile,pouroffthewaterandusetheZnHg
residueforreduction.
MethodIJGC30,1138,2070(1960)CA53,423(1959)
Duringonehourpass70gdrychlorinegasintoastirredsolutionof68gfuranin630mlmethylenechloride
and630mlmethanolat40.Protectfrommoisture(CaCl2dryingtube)andusedrymethanol.Alternatively,
160gBr2orCl2in630mlmethylenechloride(ormethanolinwhichcaseadd200ganhydrousKacetateor
pyridine)at40isaddeddropwiseto68gfuranin630mlmethanolat40(keeptemperaturelowerthan
30duringthereaction).Stir0.5hourandpassindryNH3(orconcentratedNH4OH)untilpHis8.Filterand
washprecipitatewith3x50mlmethylenechloride.Ifonlymethanolhasbeenused,afterstirring0.5hour
pourinto3Lcooled,aqueous,saturatedCaCl2andextractwithetherormethylenechloride.Dryand
evaporateinvacuumthecombinedorganicsolutionstoget90g2,5dimethoxy2,5dihydrofuran(I)asa
colorlessliquid(candistill40/4or71/17).Ethanolcanbeusedinplaceofmethanol,butadd190mlether(if
reactiontemperaturerisestoohigh,themethyldiacetylofmaleindialdehydeisproducedthiscanbereduced
tothemethyldiacetylofsuccinicdialdehyde,whichcanbeusedinplaceof(II)toget(IV)).
Hydrogenate47.5g(I)inpresenceof5gRaneyNiatroomtemperatureand1atmosphereH2withstirring
(NaBH4Nireductiondescribedatstartshouldalsowork).Afterabsorptionof7.2LH2overtwotothree
hours,filterandwashcatalystwith15mlethanolandevaporateinvacuum(ordistill77/20forethoxy
compound,53/22formethoxycompound)toget40g2,5diethoxy(ordimethoxy)tetrahydrofuran(II).
Toamixtureof360g50%KOHand138mlmethanol,addwithstirringat570.5gdimethylesterof
acetonedicarboxylicacid(dimethylbetaketoglutarateseemethod3forpreparation)andlettemperature
risetoabout25over0.5hour.Letstandtenminutes,coolto0andadd65mlether.Filter,washprecipitate
with65mlethanoland150mletherat0toget75g(III).To322ml1NHClat80,add41.1g(II)andstir
twentyminutescoolto10,add211ml1NHCl,98.2g(III),26.4gNaacetateand28.2gmethylamineHCl.
Stirfourhoursatroomtemperature,coolto10,andsaturatewith410gKOH.Extractfourtimeswith
methylClorbenzene(75mleach,fifteenminutesstirring)andevaporateinvacuumtogetthemethylester
oftropan3one2COOH(IV),whichprecipitatesfromtheoil(candistill85/0.2).Testforactivity.Dissolve
28.3g(IV)in170ml10%sulfuricacidcoolto5andtreatwith3.63kg1.5%NaHgamalgamwith
vigorousstirringat0.Seebelowforeasiermethodsofreducing(IV).
KeeppHabout3.2byadding30%sulfuricacidandcontinuestirring0.5houroruntil3dropsofthemixture
failtogivearedcolorwitha10%solutionofFeCl3.Filterandsaturatethesolutionwith235gKOHorK
carbonatebelow15.Extractwith5x250mlCHCl3anddry,evaporateinvacuumtogetanoil.(Theinactive
isomercanbeseparatedatthispoint(ifdesired)bylettingstandfivedaysat0(methylesterofracemic
pseudoecgonineprecipitates)).Mixtheoilplusanyprecipitatewithanequalvolumeofetherandfilter.Add
250mldryetheruntilnomoreprecipitateforms,thenfilter(testprecipitateforactivityifactive,thisstep
isunnecessary)andstirwithactivatedcarbon0.5hour.Filterandevaporateinvacuum,dissolvethebrown
liquidin17mlmethanol,andneutralizewith10%HClindryether.Evaporatetheetheruntilthetwolayers
disappearandletstandtwohoursat0toprecipitatetheracemicmethylecgonine(V).Filter,washwith1:1
methanol:etherat0.Canpurifybydissolvinginmethanolandwashingwith1:1methanol:etherandether.
TopreparetheNaamalgam,useanelectrolyzerwithanHgcathode,Nianode,and40%NaOHsolution
currentabout29amps,7.5volts.
Heat9.35g(V)onwaterbathtenhourswith18.7gbenzoylClandpourtheliquidformedinto250mlether
evaporateinvacuum.Thepowderformedonrubbingtheresidueisdissolvedin85mlicewaterand
neutralizedwith20%NH4OH.Racemiccocaine(VI)isfilteredoff,washedwith12mlicewateranddried
overCaCl2.TogettheHClof(VI),dissolveitinseventimesitsweightofethercontainingHClinethanoland
washtheprecipitatewith1:3methanol:ether,thenether.
Alternatively,mixtureof4g(V),36mlbenzene,1.6gNacarbonateand7mlbenzoylClstirandheat96
100fortenhours.Evaporateinvacuum,coolto0andadd40mlicewater.AcidifywithHCltopH5and
extractwith3x20mlether.Neutralizetheaqueoussolutionwith20%NH4OHtoseparateanoilfromwhich
cocaineprecipitatesonstanding(fromJGC30,3228(1960)).
Foranelectrolyticmethodofproducing(I)seeACS6,531(1952).Forothermethodsofsynthesizing(II)see
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JACS72,872(1950),CA42,2992(1948).Forthereductionofthetropinone(IV)toecgonine(V),lithium
aluminumhydrideorNaBH4giveabout50%,theNaHgmethoddescribedaboveabout40%,andAl
triisopropoxideabout25%oftheinactivepseudoecgonine.Thelattermethod,whichappearstobethebest,
involvesheatingat821.5hoursinisopropanolwithAltriisopropoxide(Chem.andInd.664(1957)).For
NaBH4,refluxsixhoursinmethanol.Amethodsaidtobesuperiortothatgivenabovefortheconversionof
methylecgoninetococainefollows.
CocainefromEcgonineBER89,679(1956)
Dissolve8.66gecgoninein100mlmethanolandbubbledryHClgasthroughfor0.5hour.Letstandtwo
hoursatroomtemperatureandthenrefluxgentlyfor0.5hour.Evaporateinvacuum,basifywithNaOHand
filtertoget8.4gmethylecgonine(V)(recrystallizeisopropanol).Add4.16g(V)and5.7gbenzoicanhydride
in150mlbenzenewithCaCl2tubetoexcludewaterandgentlyrefluxfourhours.Coolinicebath,acidifywith
HClanddry,evaporateinvacuum(orextractwithether,basifywithNaOH,saturatewithKcarbonateand
extractwithCHCl3:dryandevaporateinvacuum)toget6gredoilwhichprecipitates(VI)withadditionofa
littleisopropanol.
Method2JOC22,1391(1957)
Suspend40gbetaketoglutaricacidinamixtureof60mlglacialaceticacid,43mlaceticanhydrideandstir
threehoursat10.Filter,washprecipitatewithbenzeneanddryinvacuumoverKOHabouttwohourstoget
30gbetaketoglutaricanhydride(I).Dissolve13.5g(I)in50mlcoldmethanolandletstandonehourat
roomtemperature.Addthissolutiontoasolutionof10gmethylamineHCl,4gNaOHin850mlwaterand
stirin125ml0.8Nsuccindialdehyde(preparationbelow).Letstandtwentyfourhoursatroomtemperature,
takepHto4with6NHClandwashwith35mlCHCl3.Dryandevaporateinvacuum(orbasifywith20ml4N
NaOHand4gKHCO3,extractwith9x100mlCHCl3anddry,evaporate75%oftheCHCl3onsteambath,
thenevaporateinvacuum)toget16gyellowoily2carbomethoxytropinone(methyltropan3one2
carboxylate).Recrystallizebydissolvingtheoilin30mlhotmethylacetateandadd4mlcoldwaterand4ml
acetoneletstandthreehoursat0,filterandwashprecipitatewithcoldmethylacetate.Thisproductis
identicalwith(IV)ofmethod1andisconvertedtococaineasalreadydescribed.
SuccindialdehydeJOC22,1390(1957)
Suspend23.2gsuccinaldoximepowderin410ml1Nsulfuricacidandadddropwisewithstirringatabout0
asolutionof27.6gNanitritein250mlwateroverthreehours.Stirtwohoursatroomtemperature(keeping
airout),stirin5gBacarbonateandfilter.Thesuccindialdehydeshouldthenbeextractedfromthebasic
solutionwithetherandtheetherdriedandevaporatedinvacuum.Forsuccinaldoximepreparation,seeJOC
21,644(1956)andJACS68,1608(1946).
Method3JOC22,1389(1957)
Addwithstirringover1.5hours192gpowderedanhydrouscitricacidin32gportionsto202ml(383g)
fumingsulfuricacid(21%).Makethefirsttwoadditionsat0carefullytheotherfourat15.Stironehourat
roomtemperature,andforthreehoursat35and17hoursat25.Adddropwisewithstirringbelow0,500
mlmethanoloverthreehours.Keepaboutfifteenhoursatroomtemperatureandaddtoastirredmixtureof
700gNaHCO3,500giceand200mlwater.Filter,washprecipitatewith150ml50%aqueousmethanoland
extractthefiltratewith7x400mlether.Dryandevaporateinvacuum(candistill85/1)toget110goily
dimethylbetaketoglutarate(I).Usethisinmethod1orasfollows.Dissolve33.6gKOHin150mlmethanol
andadddropwiseat0over0.5hour(oratroomtemperatureoveronehour)to43.5ml(I)in10ml
methanol.Letstandthreehoursatroomtemperature,add50mletherandrefrigeratetwelvehoursto
precipitatethedipotassiumsaltofmonomethylbetaketoglutarate(II).Dissolve10gsuccindialdehydein200
mlwaterat5andadd41g(II)and11.8gmethylamineHCl.Letstandafewhoursatroomtemperature
andproceedasinmethod2.
Method4JOC22,1389(1957)
Mixtureof1.35gNamethoxide(Nainmethanol),3.48gtropinone(whichcanbeobtainedbyKdichromate
oxidationoftropine),4mldimethylcarbonateand10mltoluene.Reflux0.5hour,coolto0andadd15ml
watercontaining2.5gNH4Cl.Extractwith4x50mlCHCl3,dryandevaporateinvacuumanddissolvetheoil
in100mlether.Washtwicewithamixtureof6mlsaturatedaqueousKcarbonateand3ml3NKOH(dryand
evaporateinvacuumtheethertorecoverunreactedtropinone).Takeuptheoilwhichseparatesinsaturated
aqueousNH4ClandextractitwithCHCl3.Dryandevaporateinvacuumtogetanoilwhichisdissolvedinhot
acetone.Cool,addalittlewaterandrubtostartprecipitationof1.5g2carbomethoxytropinone.Thisis
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identicalwith(IV)ofmethod1,andcanberecrystallizedandconvertedtococaineasalreadydescribed.

OtherReferences
Thevariouscocaineprecursorsandanalogsseemnottohavebeentestedforpsychedelicactivity.Cogentin
(benzotropane)ishallucinogenicatadoseofabout4mg.Syntheticcompoundswhichmayhaveactivityare
lpseudococaine,tropacocaine,eccaine,eucaine,andbenzoylNmethylgranatoline(seBER51,235(1918),
Chem.Zentr.1402(1939),JCS41(1924),1150(1925),1429(1932),1511(1933),Q.J.Pharm.Pharmcol.
7,46(1934)).Forasimplesynthesisofpseudopelletierine,whichcanbereducedandacylatedtogiveactive
compounds,seeJ.Pharm.Pharmacol.22(supplement),29(1970).Forareviewoftropanechemistrysee
Manske(Ed.),TheAlkaloids1,271(1951),5,211(1955),9,269(1967)13,351(1971).JCS3575(1957),Acta
Pharm.Suecica7,239(1970)andJMC16,1260(1973)containfurtherinformationoncocaineanalogs.For
CogentinsynthesisseeCA47,2218h(1953).
Itmaybepossibletopartiallyoxidizebutanedioltobutanedial(succindialdehyde)anddistillthisasthe
reactionoccurs.

CocaineManufactureandtheCocaineTraffic
(ThefollowingsummaryofcocainepreparationandtradewaspreparedbytheCaliforniaStateAttorney
Generalin1973.)
Thecocaplantisanevergreen,nativetoSouthAmerica,particularlythecountriesofPeru,Bolivia,Brazil,
ChileandColumbia,andshouldnotbeconfusedwiththecocoaplant,fromwhichchocolateismade.Although
thecocaplantisnativetoSouthAmerica,ithasbeensuccessfullycultivatedinJava,WestIndies,Indiaand
Australia.
Thecocaplantisgrownonmountainslopesorterraceuplandsthathaveatropicalorsemitropicalclimate.
Actually,theplantisgrownunderconditionswhicharelittlesuitedforothercrops.Thesemountainousareas
ofSouthAmericavaryinaltitudefrom1,000to6,000feetabovesealevelandtemperaturesof68to86
degreesFahrenheit.Themostsuitableconditionsforthedevelopmentofthecocaplantareclaytypesoils,
richinhumusandironcontent,situatedinsheltereduplandvalleysandexposedtoconstanthumidityandrain
precipitation.Underidealconditions,theplantcansurvive,foracenturyormore,growingsteadilyin
strength.Inthecultivationofthecocaplant,theseedsareusuallytakenfromaplantthreeormoreyears
old,placedincontainersandgerminatedindampshelterednurseries.Theyarewateredheavilyforfivedays
untiltheybegintoswellafterwhichtheyareplantedinamixtureofhumussandandearth,inequal
proportions,shadedandabundantlywatered.Afteraboutaweekandahalf,theshootsbegintoappearand
thegerminatedseedscanbetransplantedwithin2months.Thesparselyleavedplantisusually6to10inches
inheightandistransplantedintheopensinceithasbecomeresistanttomostclimaticvariations.Theyoung
plantisusuallyplantedinsmalltrenchesvaryingindensityfrom1to4plantspersquareyard.
Oncetheyoungplanthasbeentransplanted(usuallyinthewintertime)intoopenfields,thereisverylittlethe
cultivatordoesexceptleavetheplantstothemselves.Wheredampnessisconstantandrainisregular,even
irrigationisunnecessary.Afterapproximately1yearfromthetransplanting,thecocaplantyieldsitsfirst
cropofleaveswhichisgenerallythereasonthecocabushhasbeencultivatedinthefirstplace.Theplant
normallyyields4cropsofleavesperyear.Thecocaplantisashrublikebushwhichgrowsfrom5to10feet
tallwithwidelybranchedtrunkscontainingtwigswhichbecomedenselypopulatedwithleavestowardthe
ends.Thegreensmoothedgedleavesvaryfrom1to3incheslongandsmellverysimilartotealeaves.
Normally,inorderfortheharvestingofthecocaleaftobeprofitable,theremustbeaminimumof72,000
plantsforevery10,000squaremetersandtheplantmustlastforover30years.Approximately10million
cocaplantsproduce700,000kilogramsofcocaleaf.
Theaveragecocaleafcontainsfrom0.5to1%ofthealkaloidcocainealthoughtherearevariousfactors
influencingthecocainecontentincludingatmosphericconditions,ageandconditionoftheplant,qualityofthe
soil,fertilizersused,timingofcultivationandharvesting,thedryingprocess,etc.Itisestimatedthatone
mancanharvestapproximately30kilogramsofleavesinaday.
Thedryingprocessisveryimportantandtakesapproximately2daysofatleast3hoursofdailysunshine.
Duringtheprocess,theleavesmustbeturnedoverforevendrying.Ifthedryingistoextensive,theleaves
willbecometoodryandlosetheircommercialvalue.Inthedryingprocess,thecocaleaflosesmorethan
75%ofitsoriginalweight.Theleafisdividedinto3basiccategories:
1.Darkgreencoloredleaf,driedbymechanicalmeansorbyairingandpressedintobales.Thisformisbest
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suitedforuseinexport.
2.Darkcoloredleafresultingfromdefectivedryinganddeliberatelybeatinordertomeetwidedemandfor
consumption.
3.Leaveswhichasaresultofneglect,dampness,delayindryingordisease,havelostsomeoftheiralkaloid
content,andareofpracticallynocommercialvalue.Thistypeofcocaleafisoftenusedasalocalfertilizer.
Oncetheleavesaredry,theyarepressedandwrappedintopackagesof50or30kilograms.In1965,1
kilogramofdriedcocaleaf,inBolivia,wasvaluedatapproximatelyonedollar.
ThecocaleafiscommonlychewedbythenativesofSouthAmerica.Thenativesclaimthatthecocaine
depressestheirhungerandincreasestheirstrength.Theleavesareverybitterwhenchewedandareoften
flavoredwithanothersubstancesuchaslime.Ithasbeenestimatedthatover90%oftheIndianschewthe
cocaleaf.Thenativechews,onanaverage,abouttwoouncesofcocaleafdailyandisoftencharacterizedby
blackishreddepositsonhisteeth.
ThecocaleafiseitherconsumedbythenativesofSouthAmericaorexportedtoothercountriesfor
consumption.Anotheruseofthecocaleafisintheextractionofcocaineeitherforillegitimateorlegitimate
use.Themajorityofthelegaland/orclandestinecocainefactoriesareinSouthAmericaduetothecostand
bulkoftransportingthewholeleaf.In1961,Boliviaproducedanannualcropoffrom12,000to18,000tonsof
leavesalthoughonlyhalfreachedthelegalmarket.Thealkaloidcocaineisextractedfromthecocaleafin
basicallythreedifferentchemicalprocedures.Theseproceduresareusedbothinlicitandillicitlabsinthe
productionofcocaine.

ManufactureofCocaine
Accordingtoachemistwhoassistedinthelegalmanufactureofcocaine,thereare
threebasicmethodsofextractingcocainefromthecocaleaf:
1.Thedriedcocaleafistreated,throughachemicalprocess,withanacidsolution
suchassulfuricacid,producingrawcocaineorcocapaste.Thecocapastewhich
containsapproximately70%cocaine,isputthroughanotherchemicalprocesswith
hydrochloricacidcreatingahydrochloricsaltorcocainehydrochloridewhichis
solubleinwater.Thisparticularprocessisverytimeconsumingandcantakefrom1
to2weekstocomplete.Thisprocessisusedbyboththelegitimateandillicit
manufacturersofcocaine.
2.Thedrycocaleafistreatedinachemicalprocesswithabasicsolutionsuchassodiumcarbonate,
producingrawcocaine.Therawcocaineisthenputthroughanotherchemicalprocesswithhydrochloricacid
creatingahydrochloricsaltorcocainehydrochloride.ThisprocessislesstimeconsumingthanprocessNo.1
anditisprobablytheonepreferredbytheillicitmanufacturer.
3.Thethirdprocessismoreadvancedandtechnicalthantheothertwoprocedures.Thebasicadvantageof
thisprocessisthatitgivesagreateryield.Thedriedcocaleaf,withit'svariousalkaloidsincludingcocaine,is
brokendownintoecgoninewhichisthechemicalbaseorcoreofthecocainemolecule.Theecgonineisthen
treatedwithmethyliodideandbenzoicanhydrideinachemicalprocesscreatingpurecocaine.

CocainePreparation
ThePeruviancocaleaves,becauseoftheirrichness,arecommonlyusedintheextractionprocessas
describedin1or2.Whenthedriedcocaleaveshavealowcocainecontent,theecgonineprocessis
preferred.Normally,ittakesapproximately100poundsofdriedleavestoproduceonepoundofcocaine.

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AchemistfromtheFederalBureauofNarcoticsandDangerousDrugs,whowasinBoliviatoobserve
clandestinecocaineoperations,relatedthefollowingstepbystepprocedureformanufacturingcocaine.The
methodcanbeconvenientlydividedintothreemajorsteps:(1)extractionofcocainefromtheleafand
chemicalconversiontothesulfate(2)treatmentofcocainesulfatewithpotassiumpermanganateand
conversiontothefreebase(akapaste)and(3)conversionofthepasteorfreebasetococaine
hydrochloride.Ingeneral,steps(1)and(2)arecarriedoutin"sulfate"labswhilestep(3)isperformedin
"crystal"labs.
Cocaleavestococainesulfate
Step1:
(a)Asufficientvolumeofwarmwaterisusedtodissolve26kgmofpotassiumcarbonate.Thissolutionis
pouredintoa"cutout"drumcontaining250poundsofdriedcocaleaves(thevolumeofsolutionisjust
enoughtocovertheleaves).
(b)Thecocaleavesandcarbonatesolutionaretreatedinoneofthreeways:
1.Themixtureisstirredbyhand.
2.ThemixtureissteppedonbythelocalIndians.
3.Themixtureremainsuntouched(thefirsttwomethodsgenerallytakeonedayifdonebystrongindividuals
whilethethirdmethodinvolvesaperiodoffourdaysthetreatmentoftheleaveswithanaqueoussolutionof
potassiumcarbonateallowspenetrationofthesolutionintotheleavesconvertinganycocainesaltstothefree
base,allowingforsubsequentextractionintokerosene).
(c)Tothepotassiumcarbonatesolutionandtheleavesareadded200400Lkerosene.Theresultofthisisa
greenishviscousliquidofabout300400L.Waterandkeroseneareimmisciblebutapparently"bridging"
materialsareextractedfromtheleafwhichallowsmiscibilitybetweenthepotassiumcarbonatesolutionand
thekeroseneitwasalsoexplainedthatwhatweknowaskeroseneisalsocalledbenzinandparaffin,
dependingwhoismanufacturingthecocainethisexplanationclarifiedpreexistingconflictsaboutcertain
methodterminology.
(d)Thekeroseneextractisseparatedfromtheleavesbydrainingthroughapluginthebottomofthedrum.
Thekeroseneextract(300400L)isplacedinanothercontainerand1Lofconcentratedsulfuricacidisadded
veryslowly.Aprecipitatebeginstocomeoutofsolutionandsettletothebottomofthecontainer(apparently
keroseneinsolublecocainesulfateandotheralkaloidalsulfatesareformed).
(e)Theliquidisseparatedfromthesulfateprecipitateandmaybeusedtoextractthenextbatchoffresh
leaves(theliquidwouldprobablyhavetobereconstituted,though,withpotassiumcarbonate,etc.).
(f)Thesulfateresidue,about1kgm,isallowedtodryinthesunforaboutoneday.
Cocainesulfatetococainebase(paste)
Step2:
(a)Intoacontainerholding6Lofwaterand360ccofconcentratedsulfuricacidthesulfateprecipitatefrom
thepreceedingstepisaddedandthesolutionstirred.
(b)Inanothercontainer1Lofwaterand1kgmofcommercialpotassiumpermanganatearemixed.
(c)Thepermanganatesolutionof(b)isslowlypouredintothesulfuricacidsolutionof(a).
(d)Theresultantpurplecoloredsolutionisthenfilteredthroughpaperifthefiltrateiscoloreditispassed
backthroughthefilter(theuseofpotassiumpermanganateinthemanufacturingprocesshasbeenwell
establisheditisprobablyaddedasadecolorizingagent,withmostofthecoloredresidueremainingonthe
filterpapercommercialpotassiumpermanganateiseasilyobtainedinLaPazthroughpharmaciesitisused
bythelocalinhabitantstobathethefeet).
(e)Tofiltrateofabout6Lisadded1Lofammoniaaprecipitateisformedwhichisdriedinthesunorunder
ultravioletlight(theresultantprecipitateiscocainefreebaseorpasteplusimpurities).
Cocainebase(paste)tococainehydrochloride
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Step3:
(a)Totheapproximately1kgmofpasteinacontainerisadded10Lofacetoneandtheresultantsolution
filteredthroughpaper(theresidueonthepaperisprobablyinorganicinnatureethercanbeusedinsteadof
acetonewithsomemodificationintheprocedurebothetherandacetonecansolubilizecocainebasewhile
theyarebothgoodsolventsforthecrystallizationofthehydrochloridesalt).
(b)Tothefiltrateisadded10Lmoreofacetonetheresultant20Lispassedthroughnewfilterpaper.The
temperatureoftheacetoneshouldbeabout150C.inordertoacceptthehydrochloricacidandalcohol.
(c)Tothe20Lofacetoneareadded300ccofconcentratedhydrochloricacidand300ccofabsoluteethanol
ontheadditionofabsoluteethanolcocainehydrochloridestartscrystallizingout.
(d)After34hourscrystalformationiscompleteandthecocainehydrochloridecrystalsarecollectedonfilter
paperanddriedinair.
Kerosene,whichisusedingreatvolumesintheinitialextractionprocedureisnotcontrolledinBoliviaandis,
infact,usedbythepopulaceforheatingtheirhomes.Itwouldtheoreticallybeveryeasytoobtainkerosene
inlargequantitiesthroughpharmaciesinLaPaz.Theinorganicreagentssuchassulfuricacid,hydrochloric
acid,ammonia,andpotassiumcarbonatearenotcontrolled.Etherandabsolutealcohol,ontheotherhand,
arecontrolledsubstances.Dilutedalcohol(about50%)isnotcontrolledthoughand,accordingly,canbe
convertedtoabsolutealcohol.

TraffickinginCocaine
A.Legal
Oncethecocainehasbeenlegallyproducedfromthecocaleaf,itisexportedtovariouscountriesfor
medicinaluse,basicallyasatopicallocalanesthetic(appliedtothesurface,notinjected,onlytreatinga
particulararea).IntheUnitedStatesthecrystallinepowderisimportedtopharmaceuticalcompanieswho
processandpackagethecocaineformedicaluse.MerckPharmaceuticalCompanyandMallinckrodtChemical
Worksdistributecocaineincrystallineform(HydrochlorideSalt)indarkcoloredglassbottlestopharmacies
andhospitalsthroughouttheUnitedStates.Cocaine,inthealkaloidform(basedrugcontainingnoadditives
suchashydrochlorideinthecrystallineform)israrelyusedformedicinalpurposes.Cocainehydrochloride
crystalsorflakescomein1/8,1/4and1ouncebottlesfromthemanufacturerandhasawholesalepriceof
approximately$20to$25perounce(100%pure).
Cocaineisstilladrugofchoiceamongmanyphysiciansasatopicallocalanestheticbecausethedrughas
vasoconstrictivequalities(shrinksandstopstheflowofblood).Syntheticlocalanestheticssuchasnovacaine
andxylocaine(lidocaine)havealsobeendiscoveredandusedextensivelyasalocalanesthetic.
B.Illegal

HierarchyOfCocaineTraffic

1:Cultivates,harvestsandsellsdriedcocaleavestoclandestinelabsatapriceoffrom$1to$3perkilo.

2:Extractcocainefromthedriedcocaleavesandsellpurecocainetothewholesaleratapriceof$3,000per
kilorealizingaprofitofapproximately$2,500perkilo.

3:Directlysellsorsmugglesthekiloofpurecocainetothedistributerforapriceof$18,000perkilorealizing
aprofitof$15,000perkilo.

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4:"Cuts"thecocaineandsellspoundquantitiestodealersfor$10,000perpound
(50%purecocaine)realizingaprofitof$22,000fromtheoriginalkilohe
purchased.

5:"Cuts"thecocaineandsellsouncequantities(3040%purecocaine)tothe
pushersfor$800$1,200perounce,realizingaprofitof$10,000fromthepoundhe
originallypurchased.

6:May"cut"thecocaineandsellgram(spoon)quantitiestousersfor$50$75per
gramrealizingaprofitof$1,000fromtheoriginalouncehepurchased.

Theoriginal100kilosofdriedcocaleafthatittakestoproduce1kiloofpure
cocainecostsapproximately$200.Thekiloofpurecocainewilleventuallybe
worthover$200,000whensoldtousersin25%puregramquantities.
Theillicitlymanufacturedcocainefromthevariousclandestinecocainelabsin
SouthAmerica,issmuggledtovariouscountriesincludingtheUnitedStatesfor
blackmarkettraffickinganduse.Thoseinvolvedinthesmugglingofcocainevary
fromaonemanoperationtoorganizedsyndicates.Thesmugglingmethodsare
unlimitedandvarywithone'simagination.Oftentimes,cocaineisfirstsmuggled
intoMexicoratherthandirectlyfromSouthAmericatotheUnitedStates.Cocaine,asisheroin,isusually
packagedinhermeticallysealedplasticbagsorrubbercondomsforsmugglingpurposes.Oncethecocaine
enterstheUS,itisthendistributedthroughvarioussubdealersdowntotheusers.Illicitcocaine,basically,
comesinthreeforms:
1.Thehardtinyrockformwhichisreadilyavailable,especiallytothelargewholesalerordealer.
2.Theflakeformwhichisgenerallyfairlypurecocainewhichhasbeenbrokendownintotinyflakesand
consideredadelicacyamongusersofcocaine.
3.Thepowderedformwhichisusuallyrockorflakedcocainedilutedwithothersubstancessuchaslactoseor
procaine.
Intheillicittrafficofcocaine,asinmanyotherdrugs,thereisadefinitechannelwhichthedruggoesthrough
fromtheharvestertotheuser.Initially,thereisthefarmerwhocultivates,driesandshipsthecocaleafto
theillicitlab.Theclandestinelabsthenchemicallyextract90to100%purecocainefromtheleaf.Fromthe
lab,thecocaineisusuallysoldtosmugglersorwholesalersatapriceof$200anounceor$3,000akilo.The
wholesalersmugglesthecocaineintotheUnitedStatesandsellsittoamajorcocainedistributorforacertain
agreeduponpricewhichvariesandrangesfrom$18,000to$22,000akilo.Thedistributorwillthentakethe
largequantityofcocaineandselllesseramountstoanumberofdealers.Hemaysellthecocaineinitspure
formordiluteitandsellmoreforalowerprice.Mostofthetraffickerskeepinmindthatcocainelosesits
strengthreadilyandsometimesthecuttingordilutingagentwillhaveatendencyafteraperiodoftimeto
begindestroyingthecocainecontent.Whenthedealersareinpossesisonoftheir0.5poundorpoundof
cocaine,theywillmostoftendiluteitwithacuttingagentandsellitinouncequantitiestoevensmaller
dealers.Thecocainestreetpusherwillinturn,sellittotheuseringramquantities.
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Dilutionor"Cutting"ofCocaine
Theparaphernaliaanddilutingagentsforthecuttingofcocaineareverysimilartothoseusedforheroin.One
ofthebasicdifferencesbetween"steppingon"(diluting)cocaineascomparedtoheroin,isthatcocaineis
usuallyonlydiluteddownfrom20to40%.Theprocessforcuttingcocainevariesfromindividualtoindividual
withoftentimesthelargedealerusingamoreelaborateprocess,butthebasicoperationisthesame
throughoutcocainetraffic.Thebasicparaphernaliausedis:
Dilutingagent,scales,measuringspoons,flatnonporoussurface,razorblade,playingcardorsomeother
sharpedgedinstrument,sifterornylonstocking,funnelandpackagingcontainersuchasrubbercondoms,
tinfoilbindlesorplasticbaggies.
Thecuttingordilutingagentusedforcocaineagainvarieswiththeindividualandthesubstancethatisreadily
availabletothatindividual.Someofthecommoncuttingagentsforcocaineare:
ProcainewhichisasyntheticpreparationinpowderformusedasalocalanestheticMannite,asugar
substanceusedasalaxativeandproducedinItalyMenita,amilksugarfromMexicoandSouthAmerica
LactoseorDextrose,awhitepowderedmilksugarusedasababyfoodsupplementandpurchasedreadilyin
theUnitedStatesinanydrugstorePowderedmethamphetaminealsoknownasspeedEpsomsaltsQuinine
usedtotreatlegcrampsandmalariaPowdervitaminspurchasedinhealthfoodstoresandjustaboutany
solublepowderthatisnotdisruptivetothebodycanbeused,suchasbakingsoda,powderedsugar,
powderedmilk,starch,etc
Thedealerwilleitherbetoldthepercentageofcocainebyatrusted"connection"orhewillbeableto
approximatethepercentagebyvariousmeans.Someofthewaysofascertainingtheapproximatepercentage
ofcocaineandthecuttingagentare:
1.Quantitativechemicalanalysiswhichisanelaborateprocessrequiringaqualifiedchemistandsome
elaboratelaboratoryequipment.
2.Cocainedrugtestingkitseithermanufacturedforlawenforcementpurposesorproducedbythe
underground.Thesetestingkitsaresimplypresumptivecolortests.Thebasiccolortestusedforcocaineis
cobaltthiocyanate.Thecocaineoranyoftheothersubstancesfromthecainefamilywillformabrilliantblue
flakyprecipitateinthecobaltthiocyanate.Thisisanindicationthattheproductiscocaine,procaine,
tetracaine,etc.Inordertodeterminewhetherthereisactuallyanycocaineandnotallprocaine,stannous
chlorideisaddedtotheprecipitatecausingallofthecainesexceptcocainetodissolve.Ifthedealersuspects
thatthecocainehasbeencutwithanothercaine,hecanthenmakeapartialdeterminationastohowmuchof
theprocaineorothercaineiscontainedinthetotalpowder.
3.Chloroxtest.Itisallegedthatthedealercantakesuspectedcocaineanddropitinavialofclorox.
Presumablythecocainewilldissolvecompletelyandprocainewillturnareddishorangecolorwithanyother
cuttrailingtothebottomofthevialasresidue.
4.WaterTest.Itisalsoallegedbythestreetdealers,thatadeterminationcanbemadeastohowmuchcut
isinthecocainebyplacingthepowderedsubstanceinaglassofwater.Thecocainewilldissolvealmost
immediatelyleavingtheremainingcutwhichnormallywilldissolveslowerandnotasclear.
5.Burningtest.Thepowderedcocaineisplacedonaluminumfoilandheldoveralowflameormatch.The
cocainewillburnclear.Asugarcutwilldarkenandburnadarkbrownorblackthereforethelargerthecut,
thedarkertheburn.Crystallizedspeedormethamphetaminewillpopwhenburned.Saltsdonotburnand
remainasresidue(cutssuchasprocaineorquininealsoburnfairlypurealthoughitisallegedthatprocaine
canbedetectedbyabubblingofthesubstancebeforeitburnsclear).
6.Methanoltest.Mostcommoncutsdonotdissolveinpurealcoholalthoughcocainedoes.Unfortunatelyfor
thedealer,procaineandmethamphetaminealsodissolveinpurealcohol.Itisimperativethatpuremethanol
beusedsinceanywaterinthealcoholwilltendtodissolvesugarandsalt.Methanolcanbeobtainedinmost
paintsupplystoresasmethalatedspirits.Thedealerwilltaketwoequalamountsofthecocainesubstance
andplacetheequalamountsintwoteaspoonsnexttooneanother.Atthistime,0.25ofateaspoonofpure
methanolisaddedtooneofthespoons.Themixtureisthenstirredandanypowderthatremainsiscompared
totheoriginalunalteredamountinthesecondteaspoontodeterminethepercentageofthecut.If,for
example,20%oftheoriginalamountdidnotdissolve,thesubstancetestedwouldbenomorethan80%pure.
Ifthesuspectedcutisprocaine,thecocainesubstancecanbeaddedtosodiumcarbonatesolution.Thiswould
dissolveallthecocaineleavingjusttheprocaine.
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7.Usetest.Somedealerswilltestthepercentageofcocainebyinhaling(snorting)itintothenostrils.Thisis
probablythebestandmostcommonstreettestindeterminingthepurityofthecocaine.Thetestershould
standardizetheamountsnortedsothathewillhavetheabilitytodistinguish.Thetesterwilllookforthe
swiftnessofthehighandthe"freeze"ornumbnessthesubstancecauses.Ifthenasalpassagesburnandthe
eyestear,thereisagoodpossibilitythecocainehasbeencutwithspeed.Sugarandsaltcutswilloftentimes
causeapostnasaldrip.Excessivesweatingandhyperactivitycouldmeaneitheraspeedorquininecutwas
used.Excessivediarrheawoulddenotealaxativetypecutsuchasepsomsaltsormenita.Speedtendsto
causeirregularbowelmovement.Agreaterdegreeofnumbnessindicatesthepresenceofprocaineorother
localanesthesia.
8.Tastetest.Cocainehasabittertasteandtheadditionofanycutwilltendtoalterthattaste.Amilksugar
cutwillsweetenthecocainealthoughdextrosehasatendencytosweetenthesubstancemorethanlactose.
Procainewillbebittertothetastebutwilltendtonumbthegumsandtonguequickerandlongerthan
cocaine.Salthasanaftertasteandepsomsaltsareabitmoresourintasteandsandyintexture.
9.Observationtest.Purecocainecrystalshaveashinyalmosttransparentappearanceandevenwhen
crushed,willretainthecrystallinesparkle.Thecrystallinesparkleofcocainewillbedulledbymostcuts.
Dextrosehaslessdullingeffectthanlactosealthoughaspeedcufusuallydullsthecrystalslessthanmost
othercuts.Althoughsaltshaveacrystallinestructure,theytendtobedullerthanthecocainecrystals.An
allegedindicationofthepurityofthecocaineisthetinyrocklikematerialcontainedwithinthetotal
substance.Thetinyrocksareallegedlypurecocaineastheycomefromthemanufacturer.Therockorhard
substancecanbefeltbyfeelingthepowderedsubstance.
Oncethedealerhasascertainedthepurityofthecocaineand/orthecutordilutingagentused,heisthen
readytobegintheprocessof"steppingon"thecocaine.Mostdealerswilldiluteasmallportionofthecocaine
andthenretestit.Mostofthedealersclaimthattheyusuallyonlycuttheamountofcocainethatwill
immediatelybesoldduetothefactthatthecutshaveatendencytodestroythestabilityofcocaine.Itis
thereforeadvantageoustothedealertokeepthecocainesealedinacoolplacesuchastherefrigeratorand
inanamberordarkcoloredjartoretainthestrengthofthedrugaslongaspossible.Dealersclaimthatwith
time,moisture,warmth,airandsunlighttendtodecreasethepotencyofthecocaine.
Theprocessfor"steppingoncoke"againvarieswithindividualsbutthetwobasicformulasaresimilarto
thoseofheroinandareasfollows:
1oz.ofLactoseaddedto1oz.of100%Cocaine=2oz.of50%Cocaine
2oz.ofLactoseaddedto2oz.of50%Cocaine=4oz.of25%Cocaine
2oz.ofLactoseaddedto1oz.of100%Cocaine=3oz.of33.3%Cocaine
3oz.ofLactoseaddedto1oz.of100%Cocaine=4oz.of25%Cocaine
4oz.ofLactoseaddedto1oz.of100%Cocaine=5oz.20%Cocaine
Thedealerwillmeasureoutthedesiredamountofcocaine,forinstancefivelevelteaspoons,andplaceitina
pileonaflatnonporoussurfacesuchasarecordalbum,mirrororglassplate.Hewillthenmeasureoutthe
desiredamountoflactoseandplaceitinaseparatepileonthesamesurface.Then,usingaplayingcard,
razorblade,knifeoranysharpedgedinstrument,thedealerchopsthecocainetotakeoutallthelumpsso
thecocaineisafairlyfinepowder.Thecocaineisthensiftedthroughasifterornylonstockingproducinga
finefluffedpowderandremovingforeignmaterialfromthesubstance.Oncethroughthesifter,thecocaine
usuallyhasalittlemorevolumesinceithasbeenfluffed.Thecocaineissiftedintoapileandthesame
processisrepeatedwiththedilutingagent.Thedealerwillthenmixthepileofcocaineintothepileofdiluting
agent.Oncethishasbeenaccomplished,hesiftsthedilutedcocainethroughasiftertryingtogetthemixture
asequalaspossible.Thedealermayresiftthedilutedcocainetoassureanequallydistributedmixture.The
siftedcocaineisplacedinasinglepile.Atthistime,thedealerisreadytoplacethecocaineintopackagesfor
sale.
Inlargerquantities,thecocaineisusuallypackagedineitherairtightrubbercondomsorplasticbaggiesthat
arealsoairtight.Arubbercondomwillusuallyholdfrom0.5ounceto3ouncesofcocainewhereasaplastic
baggiecanholdupto6ouncesofcocaine.Itappearsthatmostdealerspreferusingtheplasticbaggiesinceit
isbelievedthatsynthetichardplasticsandrubbertendtoreactunfavorablywithcocaineintermsofchemical
compositionandthereforeintime,decreasethepotencyofthecocaine.Smalleramountsorgramquantities
ofcocaineareusuallypackagedinsmallerairtightclearplasticbags,paperbindlesortinfoilbindles.Itis
veryuncommontoseecocainepackagedintoyballoonsthewayheroinispackagedbecauseoftheactionof
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therubberwithcocaine.
Oncethedealerhasdilutedthecocaine,hewillmeasureoutthedesiredamounttobepackaged.Thiscanbe
donebymeasuringitonascale.
Forouncequantities,thedealerwillmeasureonascaleapproximately28gramsandthenplacethispowder
intoarubbercondomoraplasticbaggie.Thedealerwillthen,usingarubbercondom,tieaknotinthe
condomandpossiblyfoldtheopenendbackoverforaddedprotection.Whenusingaplasticbaggie,the
dealerwillgetasmuchoftheairoutaspossibleandeitherfoldthebaggieoverandsealitwithscotchtape
oruseatwistertosealtheendofthebaggie.Anothermethodofdeterminingtheproperamountofcocaine
tobepackagedisbyusingmeasuringspoons.Ifthedealerisgoingtousethemostcommonmeasureof
cocaine,thatisa"spoon"orapproximatelyagram,hewillmeasureoutalevelhalfteaspoonandplaceitin
theproperpackagingdevice.Whenusingpaperbindles,thedealerwillplacethecocaineontheextreme
insideofthepaperbindle,usuallyasquarepieceofpaperwith4inchesby4inchesbeingacommonsizeand
drawingthetwooppositeendstogethertoformatriangle.Thedealerwillthenbeginatthebaseofthe
triangleandfoldapproximately0.25inchfoldsinthepaperbindleuntilthereisapproximatelyaninchof
unfoldedtriangleleftatthetop.Theouterwingsofthepaperbindlearethenfoldedinsideandtheunfolded
topofthebindleisfoldedandtuckedintothewings.Whenusingtinfoil,thedealerwillputthedesired
amountinsideasquarepieceoftinfoil,foldthesquareoverintoarectangle,sealthetopwithasmallfold
andthenfoldtheextremeendsintotheinside.Oncethecocainehasbeenpackaged,itisreadytosellto
eithersmallerdealersortousers.

HowtoGrowCocaPlants
1.Seedsshouldbeplantedassoonastheyfallfromthebush.Iftheydryout,theywilldierightaway.The
onlywaytokeepthemforamaximumofabouttwoweeks,istokeeptheminmoist(notwet)sphagnumina
coolplace.Oftenthisinitiatesgermination,sotheymustbewatchedforrotorprematuregermination.Under
nocircumstancesshouldtheybekeptdry,sinceevenroomhumidityistoodry.
2.Vermiculiteseemstobethebestmediumforcocagermination,finegradeifpossible.Styrofoamcupsare
OK,butIprefersmallplasticpots,2"diameter,withholesinthebottom.Seedsshouldbeplantednodeeper
thanoneinch.Potsshouldberaisedsoasnottosaturatethemedium.Coca,whetherasaseedlingora
matureplant,neverlikestohavewetfeet.Ithinkitisbettertostarttheminsmallpotsratherthanflats,so
thereislessdamagetotherootsystemwhentheyaretransplanted.ForgetthehotpadIthinkitis
completelyunnecessary.Seedlingsusuallycomeupin2to4weeksiftheyareviable.
3.Sincemostpeopledon'thaveenoughroomintheirshowerstallsforplants,I'dsayforgetthisone,too.
Seedswillgerminateinanywarmplace,evenifthehumidityisnottoogreat.Abetterideaistoplaceyour
germinationpotsinaterrariumwithacoarsegravellayeronthebottom.Donotsealoverandallowplenty
ofventilationifyouchoosetoplacealayerofglassovertheterrarium.Anyboxofthissortwilldo.If
possible,placeaGrowluxfluorescentfixture,withtwo40Wbulbs,overtheterrarium,especiallyafterseeds
germinate.Acommonproblematthisstateisetiolation(toolittlelight)whichmakestheplantletsweakand
verysusceptibletodampingoff,afungusattackofthetenderstems.
4.Watertheseedswhenthevermiculitestartstodryout.Onceadayisprobablytoooften,unlessyoulivein
averydryapartment.Butifthedrainageisgoodandyouhaveplentyofholesinthebottomofthepots,
excesswatershoulddrainoff.Fungalattackisarealprobleminahumidatmosphereandanotherreasonfor
keepingtheplantsoutofyourshower,abasicallyunhygenicplaceforplants.
5.Transplanting:plantletscanremaininvermiculitestartingpotsuntiltheyareabout23inchestall.The
growlightsshouldbeaboutafootabovetheplants.Idonotrecommendclaypotsatthisstage.Theydryout
toofast,especiallyinadryapartment.Eveninoneday,afastdryingshockcankillyourplants.Itisbetter
tomoveintoplasticpots,butthesizeshouldbeincreasedgradually.Abigpotisnotnecessarilygoodfora
smallplant,infactitisnotagoodideaatall.Fromstyrofoamcups,Isuggestatwoinchpot,thenincrease
12inchespertransplanting.
6.Soilmixture:forgetthevermiculitefromnowon.Itholdstoomuchmoistureandmakesforsaturated,
unhealthysoil.Isuggestthefollowing:0.25coarsecleansand,0.25perlite,0.25sterilizedloam,and0.25
milledpeat.Ifthisseemstoolight,increaseloamandpeat.Somesterilizedorganiccompost,screened,may
alsobeaddedfornutrition.
7.Evenwhentheplantsarestillinvermiculite,feedingwithsolubleplantfoodisrecommended.Theyare
heavyfeedersandeverythreeweeksormoreoftenisnottoooftentofertilize.Whenplantsareolderitis
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importanttogivethemironintheformofironchelate,availableasaredpowdersoldasKEELATEonthe
WestCoast.Ayellowpowder,notasgood,issoldasSEQUESTRENE.Thiselementshouldbeaddedabout
everysixmonths,butstrictlyaccordingtoinstructions.Soilmustbeflushedthreetimesafterapplyingthe
dissolvedironcompoundtoavoidburningroots.Mostyellowedorbleachedoutleavesarecausedbyiron
deficiency,butthisalsooccurswhenplantsgodeciduous.Periodically,thewholecocabushturnsyellowand
dropsitsleaves,everyone.Mostpeoplefreakoutwhenthishappens,butifitisotherwiseahealthy,
vigorousplant,thenthisisnormal.Afterdropping,newflushessoonappeartorenewthefoliage.Thisis
morelikelytohappenwithErythroxylumcocathanwithE.novogranatense.
8.Transplantingdependsonthesizeoftheplantandhowfastitisgrowing.Ifyouthinkyourplantneeds
transplanting,lookattheholesinthebottomofthepottoseeifanyrootsarepresent.Ifso,thentheroots
haveprobablyfilledthepotanditistime.Youcanalsocarefullydepottheplantbytappingupsidedownon
atableedge.Repottingisprobablyunnecessaryunlesstherootshaveencircledtheinnerperipheryofthe
pot.Again,thesizeofthepotshouldbeincreasedgraduallyforbestgrowth.
9.Watering:mostcitywater,isunsuitableforcoca.Theyarecalciphobesanddon'tlikeheavysaltsinthe
water.Besttouserainwater,meltedsnow,bottledspringwaterordistilledwateriftheyareavailable.Plants
shouldonlybewateredifthesoildriesout.Stickyourfingerinthesoil.Ifitfeelsmoist,don'twater.
10.Bugs:cocaisamazinglyresistanttoinsectsandmites.Mealybugsaretheworstoffenders.Thesemaybe
removedwithaforcepsorcottonswabdippedin5070%alcohol.Keepinfestedplantsinquarantine.
Malathionmaybeusedasalastresort,butthenleavescannotbeuseduntilthenextflush(ofleaves).
11Light:warm,sunnyexposureindoors.Fullsun(throughawindow)willnothurtplantletsover3inchestall.
Butnofullsunoutdoorsuntiltheyare3feettall.Ifplantsareputoutinthesummer,theyshouldbe
protectedfromsun,rain,andwind,untiltheyarelargeandstrong.Puttheminashadyplacefirst,undera
tree,etc.,endgraduallymovetoasunnierlocation.Breezesaregoodforplantsandevenindoorsafanon
lowshouldbedirectedtowardstheplants.Itmakesthemstronger.
12.Plantscanalsobegrownentirelyundergrowlights,oracombinationofgrowlightsandwindowlight.Most
apartmentsarenotsunnyenoughforstronggrowth,soespeciallyinwinter,givetheplantsaccessorylight.
GrowluxWidespectrumTubesseemtoworkwell.IuseoneGrowluxandoneregularSylvaniaLifelinetubein
eachfixture.Theyworkverywell.Thelampsaresuspended6inchestoonefootabovelargerplants.
13.Carefulremovaloftheolderleavesdoesnotharmplants,buttheyshouldbestrongandhealthytoallow
this,andprobablythreeyearsoldifgrownindoors.
14.Cocadoesnotlikeextremesofanykind.50F.isthelowestpermissibletemperature,90F.thehighest.
Suddentemperaturechangesareespeciallydamaging.Likewise,suddenchangesinairhumidityorsoil
moisture.E.novogranatensetoleratesextremes,especiallydroughts,betterthanE.coca,whichisamuch
moredelicateplant,buttheonewhichproducesthemostalkaloid.
15.Cocacuttingsrootverypoorly.IhavemanagedtorootsomeE.novogranatensecuttingsonlyaftersix
monthsinperlitewithaninitialapplicationofHormodin#1rootinghormone.Itisbettertofertilizeyour
flowersandplantseed.Somevarietiesareselfcompatible(selffertilizing).Othersrequiretwoplantsof
differentstylarlengths(longstyledxshortstyled)toproduceseed.Thisisroutinelyaccomplishedbybees
andotherinsectsinthegreenhouseduringthesummermonthsandcanbedonewithafineartistsbrushat
home,merelybydustingpollenfromflowersononeplanttothoseonanotherwithoppositestylarform.In
California,outdoorcultivationofcocaispossibleonlyaroundSanDiego,ifthere.TrujilloCocawouldprobably
dowellthereunderirrigationandintensivecare.Elsewhere,forgetit.Idonotsubscribetogrowingit
commerciallyindoorsanddoubtiftheproducewouldbeworthwhile.Greenhouseandapartmentgrownleafis
veryinferiorinflavorandpotency.Freshairandsunshineareinorder(aswithCannabis).

AdditionalNotes
1.Whenplantsaresprouting,itisOKtohaveseveraloftheminthesamepota5inchclaypotwilldofor
between4and7sprouts.Whentheyreachatleasttwoinchestall,itisgoodtotransplanttheminto
individualpotsusingthesoilmixturerecommendedearlier.
2.Inhandlingtheyoungplants,nomatterhowtallorshorttheyare,alwaysbecarefulnottotouchthe
youngplantsortotouchthemaslittleaspossible,particularlyontherootsandonthetipsofthestems.The
tipsofthestemsarewheretheshootscomefromthatallowtheplanttogrow,andevenwhentheplantis
mature,nevertouchtheendofthestemsandneverremovetheleavesthatclingprecariouslytotheendof
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thestem.
3.Don'tfreakoutwhentheplantsgodeciduous,usuallyaboutayearorayearandahalffromsprouting.
Theydropalmostalltheirleavesexcepttheonesatthetipofthestems,turnyellowandmottled,andyou
thinkthey'redying.They'renotinfact,they'regrowing!Withinafewdays,littlespikeshapedgreen
sproutswillappear,andtiny,usuallywhite,flowers.Afterafewyears,theflowerswillstartproducinglittle
seedpods,roundishovalshapedgreenpodsthattheflowermaystillclingto.Thesethendryandturnslowly
redontheplant,reachingabrightredlikeacherrycoloredcoffeefruit,whichcontainsthealbuminand
nourishmentforthetinyseedinthecenter.Usuallytheshrubswillgothroughtheleaffallseveraltimes,
aboutonceevery2or3months,beforetheseedpodsappear.Don'texpectseedsuntiltheplantis3to5
yearsold.
4.Backtowhentheplantsarestillsprouts.Everydayusuallyinthemorning,butitdependsonwhatfits
yourschedulebestonceaday,flushthepotswithcleanwater,preferablyrainwaterordistilled.Literally
holdthewholepot(withoutitssaucer)underverygentlyflowingwaterpouredintothevermiculiteorsoil
withouttouchingtheplant.Thesoilormediumshouldalmostletthewaterdrainstraightthrough,retaining
moisturebutnotwaterinthemedium.Thisisthewayto"water"ayoungplant.Whentheygetolder,youcan
justwaterthemregularlylikeanyotherplant,butlightly,daily.
5.Themostimportantthingintendingyoungplantsistokeepthetemperatureevenandconstant,dayand
night,around64F.Theycanstandslightlyhigherorlowertemperaturesbuttheycan'tstandshifting
temperatures.
6.Oncetheplantsgettobeaboveafoot,theyareprettywellestablished.Afterthatfirstscaryleaf
dropping,youwilllearntorecognizethatprocesswhenithappensasdescribedinNote3above.Thereisa
differentphenomenonthatlookssomewhatsimilarthathappenstoplantsiftheygothroughasudden
temperaturechange,especiallyifitgetscoldsuddenlyoriftheyareexposedtocoldfogandwindswithout
muchwarmsunlight.Inthiscase,theleavesveryquicklybecomedryandcrinkledand,turndeepbrownand
yellowbrownmottling,atfirstontheirleaftipsandsooncoveringthewholeleaf.Thismeansyourplantis
abouttodie.Theonlythingtodoistolightlyspraytheleaveswithpure(nottap)waterandkeeptheplants
ataconstantwarmtemperatureandtalktothemandkeepcarefulwatchonthem.Don'toverwater,but
keeptheleavesthemselveswarmandmoist.Theplanthasa50%chanceforrecovery.

https://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/chemistry/psychedelicchemistry/chapter8.html

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