This paper examines the scientific, cultural, and legal dimensions of coca, a sacred South American plant currently classified under the same international control as cocaine. It highlights evidence confirming coca’s benign stimulant properties, nutritional value, and deep cultural significance among Indigenous and rural communities. The analysis notes that the current scheduling under the 1961 Convention has restricted research, criminalized traditional practices, and conflicted with international human rights and biodiversity frameworks. The forthcoming WHO Expert Committee review presents an opportunity to distinguish coca from cocaine and to align international policy with scientific evidence and Indigenous rights.