Cocaine Energy Drink Pulled from 7-Eleven Shelves

An energy drink that touts 280 milligrams of caffeine on its label, which displays a white-powder looking script emblazoned across the front of its red can tracing out the name Cocaine, has been ordered to be pulled from the shelves of the convenience store giant 7-Eleven.

Every individual 8.4-fluid ounce can of the Cocaine energy drink contains enough caffeine to provide more of a jolt given than a cup of coffee, a can of Coca-Cola or the number one energy drink on the market, Red Bull.

Cocaine, however, contains no actual cocaine, like the original Coca-Cola once did eons ago. Still, Cocaine's drug references were enough to anger parents of teens, who demanded that Cocaine be removed from refrigerated shelves where it sat right next to innocuous drinks like lemonade and the like.

The Cocaine energy drink was created by the US-based Redux Beverages, and according to the company's literature, Cocaine is 350% stronger than Red Bull. It is promoted as giving the consumer a legal high and feelings of euphoria within 5 minutes of drinking it.

"We created Cocaine, in large part, because those that analyze the energy drink industry itself described energy drinks as 'Speed in a Can' and 'Liquid Cocaine'," reads the wording on the company's website.

"We thought, 'Why beat around the bush? Why not just call an energy drink what is already being alluded to?'"

Well before 7-Eleven's decision to yank Cocaine from its shelves, Cleveland State University law students had already launched a campaign to help an anti-drug group fight the company's attempt to trademark Cocaine.

Redux Beverages LLC of Las Vegas and its co-founder, James Kirby, used the name Cocaine and targeted young people as the source for the caffeine-rich, high-sugar soft drink, sold primarily at bars and stores in New York and California.

The firm's Web site, drinkcocaine.com, however, continues to defend that it does not encourage kids to use drugs because of their drink's name.

"We believe that you understand the difference between an energy drink and a controlled substance," Cocaine's web site read. "However, within the past two weeks, many of the major television networks, local network news agencies and countless newspapers…have sought to point out the fact that if you're drinking an energy drink called Cocaine, that you will try a controlled substance called Cocaine.

"We believe that you realize that drinking an energy drink will not turn you into that creepy, penniless, guy who is mumbling incoherently while walking through town but that use of the controlled substance very well might," the Cocaine website continues.

"In other words, you understand the difference between an energy drink and a controlled substance. However, if you don't - Please seek help immediately."