Narayan AmmachchiCosta Rica has officially legalized the sale of marijuana, but only with a doctor’s prescription. Earlier this month, the country’s Congress passed a bill that includes provisions for its sale in pharmacies.
The legislation aims to improve access to natural treatment options for patients with various medical conditions. Under the new regulations, pharmacies will offer a range of products, including flowers, oils, and edibles.
To ensure safety and quality, the Ministry of Health has established strict standards for production and distribution.
Farmers are now permitted to cultivate cannabis, but they must first obtain authorization from health institutions and undergo examinations by the Costa Rican Institute of Drugs (ICD).
The bill underwent three years of debate before its approval. At one stage, President Carlos Alvarado vetoed an earlier version of the legislation, deeming it too risky.
The previous version did not require prior authorization for cultivation, which Alvarado argued could encourage individual growth of recreational cannabis—a practice that remains illegal in Costa Rica.
The president emphasized the necessity of regulating cultivation to prevent misuse.
The legislation is seen as an opportunity for economic growth in Costa Rica’s agricultural sector and aims to reduce black-market consumption.
This significant step marks Costa Rica’s entry into the growing field of medical cannabis, aligning it with other Latin American countries that have embraced similar legislation.
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