Coca-Cola and Stepan had used their growing political power to become the only companies in the world legally allowed to cultivate, import, and use coca leaves. This meant that while there could be other “cola” drinks on the market, there could only ever be one “coca” drink. Coca-Cola’s global monopoly and trademark was secure.
The Secret Coca Plantation In Hawaii
After the UN treaty passed, Coca-Cola executives had a realization: If they could grow their own coca supply in the USA, then the elimination of coca plants from South America would leave them with a truly global monopoly on coca leaf, and cocaine production!
So they got special permission to cultivate coca from the Bureau of Narcotics, then in 1964, they made a secret deal with the University of Hawaii, to start an experimental coca leaf plantation. At first, the university’s president couldn’t promise to keep Coca-Cola’s involvement hidden, telling them, “Being a public university, we really can have no secrets!” But under pressure from the head of the Narcotics Bureau, he changed his mind and pledged to keep the soda giant’s name out of it. Coca-Cola’s political connections had paid off again.
For two decades, Coca-Cola tried their hardest to grow coca leaves in Hawaii, and failed. Their crops kept getting hit with an unknown virus causing root rot and wilting. During the 1970s, the blight spread over all 10 acres of coca crops. Then in 1982, a hurricane damaged the island, and they abandoned the whole coca plantation project two years later.
7 Ways Coca-Cola's Cocaine Connection Goes Deeper Than We Realized
Source: Pinoy Daily News
![Disclaimer](<a href="https://rebrand.ly/LazadaSalePh"><img src="http://getfreefollowers.net/images/lazhorizontal.jpeg" /></a>){kind=link}
0 Comments