Costa Rica Legislature to Pass Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill by May 1st, Says Lawmaker
A bill to legalize medical cannabis has enough votes to be passed into law in Costa Rica, according to Representative Marvin Delgado Attencio, the lawmaker who initially introduced the bill in 2014. According to Attencio, the bill will be voted on in time to pass plenary by May 1st.
If the bill is passed into law, it will legalize the possession, use and retail distribution of medical cannabis including cannabis medicines such as oils, tinctures, sprays and edibles. Cannabis cultivation centers, licensed by the state, would supply dispensaries, who would then supply patients.
The proposal would also create a research institute – established as part of the Ministry of Health – which would conduct studies as well as handle licensing.
The law would take full effect mid-to-late next year.
