Dr. John Pemberton developed and sold Coca-Cola in 1886 as a patent medicine containing a combination of coca leaves and kola nuts. In 1903, the company started using a non-narcotic (decocainized) version of the leaf extract. While the company’s ingredient list is a closely held secret, there’s no reason to believe the formula has changed since the 1980s.
Let’s look at the history of coca leaves and how Power Leaves Corp. became the only private commercial business to sign a first-of-a-kind government-approved exclusive license for the extraction, manufacture, and distribution of decocainized coca-based products. In addition, the company has robust support from 98.6% of the local community, helping build the first legal coca-based supply chain and operations system in Colombia.
A Long History
Indigenous peoples across Latin America have used coca leaves for thousands of years for religious and wellness purposes. In addition to its known anesthetic properties, the plant contains essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. And across Andean societies, coca tea is commonly consumed to improve health, mood, and energy.
Unfortunately, governments criminalized the production and processing of coca leaves to stymie the cocaine drug trade. Some governments have begun to push back against the criminalization of coca leaves, including Evo Morales’ Bolivian government in a speech to the United Nations. However, restrictions remain in place to this day.
These restrictions have yielded a coca monopoly. Enaco SA, a Peruvian State company, is the only state company with a monopoly on the commercialization and derivatives of the coca leaves, and it sends about 150,000 kilograms to Stepan, another state-owned business with the only commercial authorization to import coca leaves to Coca-Cola and a pharmaceutical firm.
A Single Exception
Power Leaves Corp. recently became the first and only private commercial business to sign a government-approved 15 year exclusive license to extract, manufacture, and distribute decocainized coca-based products. As a result, the company is uniquely positioned to bring one of the most exciting ingredients in the world back to the market.
The company achieved this status through an exemption in the United Nations 1961 Single Convention on Narcotics Drug Lists. While Coca leaves are a Tier 1 substance, the convention granted worldwide rights to plant, transform, and consume coca leaves to a small group of indigenous peoples who have done so ancestrally for thousands of years.
The company signed a 15-year exclusive agreement with one of these communities, Resguardo de Calderas, following a general vote across the indigenous community, where it secured 98.6% support. Current production on land under cultivation is 423 tons which is less than 1% of cultivation capacity. The maximum cultivation potential can be in 100,000 tons of coca leaves production each year. Given Colombia’s climate and the number of growth cycles, the community is able to provide a continuous source of fresh product for export.
At the same time, the company is building the world’s first “private” and legally-approved technology to process coca leaves to 100% decocainization. World class scientists at its mountain extraction facility in Neiva, Huila, south central Colombia, will purify, isolate, and package products containing custom, high-quality, proprietary coca formulations.
Limitless Potential
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already authorized the use of decocainized coca leaves for the food and beverage category, opening the door to massive commercialization potential across food, dietary supplements, phytotherapeutics, and natural flavoring agents—markets worth billions of dollars each year.
According to a growing body of research and anecdotal data, coca leaves could be beneficial for increased energy, suppressed appetite, altitude sickness, upset stomach, flu symptoms, and diabetes control.
The company aims to become the second entrant into the lucrative market—after Coca-Cola. Given the growing need to innovate in the food and beverage industry with bold flavors and healthy choices. The power of coca leaves as an additive could become a game changer for the industry over the next decade and beyond.
Numerous Catalysts
Power Leaves Corp plans to list on the NASDAQ over the next nine to 12 months as the first coca-based food and beverage company. As its first to market, the company could also become an attractive acquisition target early in the company’s evolution and go-to-market strategy, particularly given the consolidation in the food and beverage space.
Investors can participate in the company’s potential upside ahead of their public listing through a recently opened private placement. The company is offering up to 22,222,222 units consisting of one common share and a one-half share purchase warrant for a price of US$0.45. Each warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share at a price of US$0.60 for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the transaction. The funds will fund manufacturing, processing facilities, and equipment, along with covering product development and other costs. For more information and how to participate in the private placement, email info@powerleaves.com.
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Founded in 2021, Power Leaves Corp. is breaking the monopoly on the supply of coca leaf extract and ushering in a new Age of Coca. Through an 15-year exclusive agreement with an Indigenous community, Power Leaves Corp. has developed the first-ever legal Colombian supply chain for decocainized coca extract to supply the trillion dollar global food and beverage markets. Through its established infrastructure, Power Leaves Corp. is developing and manufacturing proprietary formulations of coca extract and essence that offer an exceptional taste profile and an all-natural source of protein, nutrients, and positive health benefits. Currently, accredited investors can invest in Power Leaves Corp. through their active Reg D offering – for more information, visit www.invest.powerleaves.com or email shares@powerleaves.com.
