President Carlos Alvarado has partially vetoed a bill to legalise medical cannabis and industrial hemp in Costa Rica.
The reason for the veto was over ‘technical criteria’ related to personal use, cultivation and consumption.
In a statement, the president of Costa Rica outlined his support for medical cannabis for people with various conditions as he has family members who use it. However, he is concerned about public health and safety in relation to recreational use. The legislature is now in recess and will be back on February 7.
The final decision on medical cannabis and hemp production will be decided after an election.
In a video statement, the president said: “I want to say categorically that I support medical cannabis. This is to alleviate people with various diseases and I even have close and very dear people who need it. And I also support industrial hemp, because it will help agricultural production and economic revival. Let’s make this very clear: I agree with all these objectives and I want to be able to sign this law”.
Congress had already approved the production and processing of medical cannabis in October 2021. Project 21.388 (Law on Cannabis for medicinal and therapeutic use and Hemp for food and industrial use”) had 33 votes in favour and 13 against. It was introduced by Zoila Rosa Volio, who suggested it would benefit the economy to grow and also export hemp or cannabis products.
Under current laws, anyone involved in the cannabis trade, supply, manufacture, preparation or cultivation could face eight to fifteen years if convicted.
