Historic Licensing for Medical Cannabis Production
A landmark moment in Costa Rica’s medicinal history unfolded this past Monday, with the government approving the nation’s inaugural license for the production of medical cannabis. This monumental decision, just over a year since the ratification of a law permitting this activity, has opened new possibilities for the country’s health sector and beyond.
Cultivating Change with Azul Wellness
The pioneering enterprise bestowed this honour is Azul Wellness, a Costa Rican company set to cultivate and process cannabis across 800 square meters of greenhouse space within the town of Filadelfia, province of Guanacaste. The Minister of Agriculture, Víctor Carvajal, signed the resolution, setting the wheels in motion for this revolutionary project.
Journey to Legalization
March 2022 marked a turning point for Costa Rica when the “Law on cannabis for medicinal and therapeutic use and on hemp for food and industrial use” came to fruition. A drawn-out process within the Legislative Assembly finally bore fruit, paving the way for a greener future.
An Acceleration in Activity
The ripple effects of this shift in policy became evident when, in November 2022, the first license for the cultivation and industrial exploitation of hemp, a non-psychoactive form of cannabis, was issued. Since then, the government has approved seven additional licenses for hemp, with another for medical cannabis in the pipeline, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
From Bill to Law
The medicinal cannabis law, passed by Congress in February 2022 and endorsed by the then president Carlos Alvarado on March 2nd, was given its final seal of approval in September 2022. Current president Rodrigo Chaves signed the regulation, thereby completing the procedure to initiate the distribution of licenses.
Implications and Applications
This law enables Costa Rican authorities to grant licenses for the production and industrialization of cannabis for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. Furthermore, it categorically endorses the cultivation, production, and commercialization of hemp and its by-products for food and industrial use, highlighting the broad applications of this versatile plant.
