It was about time! Last Thursday, on the 13th of January, after three years of debate in Congress, the Costa Rican deputies finally approved the legalization of the cultivation, production, industrialization, and marketing of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
The legislation was approved with 29 against ten members of Congress in favor.
The production and consumption of medicinal cannabis aim to “generate an economic recovery” and provide quality medicine. The President of Costa Rica must now affix his signature to bring the law into force and join the list of countries that have legalized the green lady. The president has already expressed his support for the project in the past. The citizens of Costa Rica should expect the official legalization any time soon.
Legalizing cannabis in Costa Rica will bring immense opportunities for the country and its citizens.
“With great satisfaction, after a very long journey and multiple delays, the project has been approved,” announced Zoila Volio, the deputy who started the initiative. The legalization of cannabis “will generate economic recovery; it will open up opportunities for the country and generate investment and jobs. But most importantly, patients will finally get quality medicines at a reasonable price to reach a high quality of life,” he added.
According to Isaac Amador, activist and father of a child with cerebral palsy who uses cannabis oil to relieve his epilepsy, around 3,500 people use cannabis for medical purposes in Costa Rica. He believes that, up until now, many patients suffering from chronic illnesses were buying cannabis clandestinely either by purchasing them abroad or by cultivating it at home. This project will indeed enhance the quality of life of patients who only find release in using cannabis for their illness.
Hemp and medical cannabis: a 35 billion dollars market by 2025.
A study carried out by Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer), the Costa Rican public agency, reported that the global market for hemp and cannabis for medical purposes would represent 35 billion dollars (around 30.5 billion euros) per year by 2025.
More than 40 countries worldwide have already allowed the medical use of cannabis, including several countries in Latin America such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, and Colombia.
The government has already informed that producers will have to officially register with the State and declare all their activities to the authorities in order to produce cannabis and/or any of its derivatives.
