LAW ON CANNABIS FOR MEDICINAL AND THERAPEUTIC USE AND HEMP FOR FOOD AND INDUSTRIAL USE

LAW ON CANNABIS FOR MEDICINAL AND THERAPEUTIC USE AND HEMP FOR FOOD AND INDUSTRIAL USE

By: Sofía Paniagua

For the second time in the year, the Legislative Assembly approved in the second debate File 21,388 called the Law of Cannabis for Medicinal and Therapeutic Use and Hemp for Food and Industrial Use, promoted by the Congresswoman Zoila Rosa Volio, after the partial veto made by the President of the Republic Carlos Alvarado. This partial veto eliminated the possibility of self-cultivation of hemp and cannabis for medicinal purposes. However, the access and use of cannabis exclusively for medicinal and therapeutic use, as well as its production, industrialization, and commercialization, was authorized and regulated. The authorization to develop this industry will be made under the licensing system, with the respective control of the Ministry of Health, the Costa Rican Institute on Drugs and the Ministry of Agriculture. The relevant technical regulations that apply to this industry, such as the delimitation of the regions within the country suitable for the cultivation of the plant and the cost of licenses and permits, is still pending; however, the approval of the project undoubtedly means a step forward for the country in order to promote economic and social development, attracting foreign investment and, most importantly, guaranteeing access to health for the Costa Rican population.