Bolivia's Senate passed a bill Friday to nearly double the amount of land that can legally be planted with coca, bringing the South American nation's expected production to 30, 000 tons of leaves.
The bill, which was approved by the Andean nation's lower house Thursday, will allow farmers to plant up to 22, 000 hectares with coca, the main ingredient in cocaine, compared to 12, 000 hectares under a previous law enacted in 1988.
Leftist President Evo Morales, a former coca grower, is expected to sign the bill into law.