Costa Rica Prepares to Launch Medical Marijuana Law

The Costa Rican government has outlined details for implementing a pending bill to research and regulate marijuana for medical uses.

The bill was introduced by ruling Citizen Action Party legislator Marvin Atencio last year to tax marijuana products and regulate the use of medical marijuana through registration cards for patients provided by the Ministry of Health.

“By taking this issue seriously, Costa Rica is demonstrating compassion for those whose suffering could be alleviated with medical marijuana,” said the Policy Manager of the Americas at the Drug Policy Alliance. “With so much momentum for drug policy reform building in the Americas, Costa Rica’s medical marijuana initiative brings Central America into a debate that is already strongly underway elsewhere in the region.”

Medical marijuana will only be used as a last resort for patients and recreational use of marijuana will remain illegal. Medical marijuana will be distributed through conventional drug stores and will follow the same prescription rules as other drugs.