Originally Posted by
GUWonder
It used to be that cocaine was not considered a narcotic under federal law. Is it still that way?
For some medical research using cocaine, the government indeed does sometimes give special permission for using cocaine. Whether such special permission is required or not, I don't know. Perhaps I could ask some attorneys for a medical research center or two.
Cocaine is a narcotic per
42USC201:
(j) The term ''habit-forming narcotic drug'' or ''narcotic'' means opium and coca leaves and the several alkaloids derived therefrom, the best known of these alkaloids being morphia, heroin, and codeine, obtained from opium, and cocaine derived from the coca plant; all compounds, salts, preparations, or other derivatives obtained either from the raw material or from the various alkaloids; Indian hemp and its various derivatives, compounds, and preparations, and peyote in its various forms; isonipecaine and its derivatives, compounds, salts, and preparations; opiates (as defined in section 4731(g) (FOOTNOTE 1) of title 26);
And Cocaine is actually a Schedule II drug as it has legitimate medical purposes. It's a green liquid and is used by ENTs, Anesthesiologists and Oral Surgeons. I use it in my practice when I need to put a breathing tube in someone through their nose. The cocaine decreases the chances of bleeding as it constricts the blood vessels in the nose and the cocaine also acts as a local anesthetic so it doesn't hurt as much if I'm inserting it in an awake patient. ENTs will use it to reduce swelling and bleeding for sinus surgery as well as nose jobs.
Here's a picture of the bottle:
