Costa Rica Congress Passes Medical Cannabis Legalization

Costa Rica’s Congress on Tuesday voted to legalize cannabis for medical use despite opposition from President Carlos Alvarado, Reuters reports. Independent lawmaker Zoila Volio told Reuters that she trusts Alvarado understands the reforms will not increase cannabis use in the nation and will not veto the law.

The law also includes hemp law reforms, which would allow the plant to be cultivated in Costa Rica, according to a QCostaRica report.

Under the law, the Ministry of Agriculture is charged with regulating the hemp industry, while the Ministry of Health will be in charge of medical cannabis. Producers of both hemp and medical cannabis will have to register and provide information to the authorities about their activities with the Health and Agriculture agencies and the Costa Rican Institute on Drugs having inspection and industry control powers.