canmedbotanics.nl
Horticultural breakthrough

Baylen at D'Alliance points us to a story on this new strain of coca plant being developed in Colombia. The plants are said to be substantially more potent in terms of the extractable ingredient that forms cocaine base and grows more than twice as tall as the traditional plants. Further this new cultivar is a lighter color, (making it harder to find) and is genetically resistant to the herbicides currently employed under Plan Colombia (that's the one funded by 400 million of your tax dollars).

This development could pretty much wipe out what little (if any) effect that eradication program has had on the production of cocaine overall in the producer countries in South America. One would hope this would encourage both the US and Colombian governments to abandon the program but I wouldn't hold my breath. Both entities still want a military presence in those areas to protect other US business interests.