Cocaine Presentation

Legal Definition

• Definition - Crystalline alkaloid derived from coca leaves.

Introduction

• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) - As of Feburary 2024, cocaine is classified as a Schedule II drug. (Meaning it is accepted for medical use, but still a very high potential for abuse.)
• limited used as a surgical anesthetic for ear, nose, throat, and eye surgery.

Medical Usage

• 1880 - Sigmund Freud decided cocaine was a tonic that could cure depression

Regulation

• The Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914 - required registration to sell and make narcotics
• 1920 The Dangerous Drug Act ws passed and cocaine was outlawed
• By the time the laws were passed, cocine was deeply rooted in America

Timeline

Discovery

Present Time

• Still medical usage - eyes
• Schedule II drug
• Sold on the streets

Popularity

• The coca plant comes from South America
• 1500's it was used as a stimalulnt during religious ceremonies, because it created hallucinations
• 1859 - Albert Niemann is known to have first isolated cocaine from coca leaves. (There waas no known medical use at this time)

• 1886 - John Pemberton placed cocaine in his new drink - Coca-Cola
• Cocaine became well known as a social drug

Uh-oh - We're Drugging People

• In 1903 cocaine was taken out of the coke because of public outcry

• White, crystalline powder derived from coca leaves.
• Powdered cocaine can be snorted or injected into the veins after dissolved

• Cocaine base (crack) looks like small, irregularly shaped white (or yellow) rocks.
• Smoked(crackling sound when smoked)

Types of Cocaine

Powder cocaine v.s. Crack cocaine

(both contain as little as 20% pure cocaine.)

Pink cocaine - (2C-B) synthetic drug that resembles cocaine, and has similar effects.

Yellow cocaine - Watch out - known to be dangerous Powder should not have yellow, but crack is normally yellow.

Black cocaine - cocaine base is mixed with other substances such as charcoal, thiocyanates, iron salts, and cobalt salts in order to get passed various drug tests when trafficking the drug to other countries.

Cocaine paste - Cocaine paste can often be up to 90% pure cocaine.

Plant Based

Coca Leaves

• Naturally occuring- not synthetic or semi synthetic
• contains psycoactive drugs

IUPAC- methyl (1R,2R,3S,5S)-3-benzoyloxy-8-methyl-8-azabicycloctane-2-carboxylate

Active Ingredients

Powder cocaine v.s. Crack cocaine

• Longer high that lasts from 30 minutes to an hour.
• Causes more cardiovascular issues

• The high is quicker, but shorter (lasts minutes).
• Which is why it's more likey to lead to an overdose
• Causes more repiratory issues

Effects on the Body

massive nasal collapse

Both can cause:

• Insomnia, agitation, dilated pupils, poor cognition

Myth: Crack cocaine is more dangerous or more addictive than powder cocaine???

Analytical Protocols

• Protocol Requirements:
• Must provide good scientific practice AND meet criminal justice system requirements for court presentation.
• Visual exmaination with either the naked eye or low powered microscope

Methods of Analysis

Other Issues

Cocaine use is a misdemeanor, but possession is a felony.

Other Issues

Punishment for cocaine possession in the State of Michigan include:

• Possession of under 50g of cocaine (felony): Jail term of up to 4 years and a possible fine of up to $25,000.

• Possession of between 50g and 450g of cocaine (felony): Jail term of up to 20 years and fines of as much as $250,000.

• Possession of between 450g and 1kg of cocaine (felony): Jail term of up to 30 years and a fine of up to $500,000.

• Possession of over 1kg of cocaine (felony): Potential life imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000

References

References

• A., B. “Cocaine Possession.” Michigan Drug Possession Defense Lawyer, www.grabellaw.com/cocaine-possession.html#:~:text=Varying%20penalties%20by%20amount%20possessed,of%20as%20much%20as%20%24250%2C000. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024.

• “Against Drug Prohibition.” American Civil Liberties Union, 6 Jan. 1995, www.aclu.org/documents/against-drug-prohibition.

• “Cocaine Nose Treatment: Effects on the Nose.” Perforated Septum, 3 Apr. 2020, perforatedseptum.com/cocaine-nose-treatment/.

• “Cocaine Today.” Narconon International, www.narconon.org/drug-information/cocaine-today.html. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024.

• “The Difference between Powder Cocaine and Crack Cocaine.” Cocaine.Org, 7 Dec. 2015, cocaine.org/the-difference-between-powder-cocaine-and-crack-cocaine/.