For the purpose of reducing dependence upon the production of crops from which narcotic and psychotropic drugs are derived, the President may provide economic assistance for a country which, because of its coca production, is a major illicit drug producing country (as defined in section 481(i)(2) [1] of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291(i)(2))) to promote the production, processing, or the marketing of products which can be economically produced in such country, notwithstanding the provisions of law described in subsection (b) of this section.

The provisions of law made inapplicable by subsection (a) are any other provisions of law that would otherwise restrict the use of economic assistance funds with respect to the production, processing, or marketing of agricultural commodities (or the products thereof) or other products, including sections 521, 546, and 547 (but excluding section 510) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990, and comparable provisions of subsequent Acts appropriating funds for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs.

As used in this section, the term “economic assistance” means assistance under chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 and following; relating to development assistance) and assistance under chapter 4 of part II of that Act (22 U.S.C. 2346 and following; relating to the economic support fund).

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XV, § 1544, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3695.)