PCP has been VERY popular in the cholo population in Northern Cali since the late 60's. Still is. However, not as big as meth. It was never big within the black population up there. But the blacks love sherm down south in LA.
PCP in northern california and southern california are two different animals. Northern Cali pcp is granular while southern Cali's is liquid. We call it blast or kj, they call it sherm. Northern Cali PCP is much stronger than sherm PCP.
I don't know much about the Southern Cali scene other than it is mainly manufactured by blacks and is not as strong as the granular PCP.
This is the history of Northern Cali PCP:
A white cat who's name I won't release out of respect (since OD'd by heroin) but whom I'm call "P", was dating a white chick, Cal University student, in the late 60's, early 70's. Her ex BF, also a Cal student, had recently died (by OD) and left behind boxes at her Berkeley apartment. She found a recipe in his belongings and for whatever reason called up "P" to take a look.
"P" was a weed dealer at that time but he took that recipe and broke it down into layman terms. He pretty much came up with the current Northern Cali manufacturing process using crap you can buy from Orchard Supply or Home Depot. Not including the chems. Well, except for the muriatic acid, which they bought when hydrochloric acid wasn't available. He improvised and improved upon things.
"P" was a good dude, kind hearted but a bit too trusting. If we were to do a family tree of ALL the PCP cooks in Northern Cali, they all lead back to "P". Fa real. In the beginning, mainly white cats in the '70s (except one or two). They didn't have the clientele so they hooked up with the Mexican cats to move it. Eventually, the Chicano dudes learned how to manufacture it also - with "P's" instruction. During the early to late 80s the PCP market was dominated by the Blanco Organization. They ruled San Jo with an iron fist. They controlled prices and had solid (main chemical) connections. If you sold PCP under THEIR prices - you were dealt with. San Jose PD could never take these cats down. They tried their best the whole decade. 20 year old millionaires. Easily. It wasn't until they handed over the case to the FEDS in 92 or so did the Blancos go down. They were shut down completely.
At that time, I would say, there were only 6 people (who were free, not locked up) who knew the whole Northern Cali manufacturing process. Sure, some know the first stage or others knew the last stage. But only 5 people knew EVERY stage of the process. It was a very small group of people. They each did their own thing with their own people. They didn't try to lock down the whole Northern state with violence and intimidation. There was money to be made. And LOTS
From 92 to 2005, those 5 cooks all fell minus 1. One by one. Today, theres still a huge market in San Jo for it. In some cases, the younger relatives of those 5 carry on the family tradition. In other cases, some just legitimized themselves.
So for those who say the latinos ain't into it in Northern Cali, you're very mistaken. They've been there since it was first introduced to the market.
al rato