From: http://www.scotusblog.com/2011/02/argument-preview-what-is-cocaine-base/
Argument preview: What is “cocaine base”? Posted Fri, February 25th, 2011 6:21 pm by James Bickford
"In its natural form, cocaine is a molecule found in the coca leaf. The parties disagree as to the chemical nature of that molecule but, when it is extracted from coca leaves to make coca paste, the result is by all accounts a base. Coca paste is then combined with an acid to produce cocaine hydrochloride"”commonly known as powder cocaine"”which is a salt, not a base. Powder cocaine can be converted into crack or freebase, both of which are bases. The relevant molecule in coca paste, crack, and freebase is identical; only powder cocaine (and, perhaps, coca leaves) is chemically distinct. There are also differences in consumption. Coca leaves are generally chewed, while crack, coca paste, and freebase can all be smoked. Powder cocaine decomposes at relatively low temperatures and is therefore unsuitable for smoking."
Hard drugs. Pushers.
Nasty people.