On January 27, 2022, the Costa Rica President, Carlos Alvarado, partially vetoed a medical cannabis bill. In response, the president uploaded a video explaining his reasoning behind his decision. 

“I want to say categorically that I support medical cannabis,” President Alvarado tweeted. “I want to be able to sign that law. We resort to a partial veto and recommend 3 changes to the text. I trust that they will be accepted and the law will be in force soon.”

However, President Alvarado hasn’t released what his three recommended changes to the medical cannabis and hemp bill is. The original bill barely passed the Costa Rica Legislative body with a final vote of 29-28. Members of the president’s own party, the Citizens’ Action Party, urged President Alvarado to sign the bill as is and legalize medical cannabis and hemp within Costa Rica. However, others have pushed against cannabis legalization of any kind. 

Medical Cannabis Bill

Under this bill, medical cannabis and hemp products would become legal in Costa Rica. One of the lawmakers who sponsored the bill, Zoila Volio, wanted to make the bill clear. It would legalize medical cannabis for qualifying patients and hemp products for residents of Costa Rica. This would not be a path for increased drug possession and consumption in the country. 

The bill would cover the cultivation, harvesting, processing, storage, and transportation of both medical cannabis and hemp products. “I trust that President Alvarado has understood that and will not veto it,” Volio explained.

Additionally, members of the president’s own party, the Citizens’ Action Party, along with organizations in business and the private sector, urged President Alvarado to sign the bill as is. Medical cannabis and hemp sales could offer Costa Rica a huge economical and social development. 

Opposition

However, legislators remain split on medical cannabis and hemp legalization for Costa Rica, as seen in their first vote on this bill. Outside pressure could potentially have some influence on how legislators, along with President Alvarado reacted to the proposed bill. 

José Manuel Garita is the President of the Episcopal Conference of the Catholic Church in Costa Rica. Recently, he released a statement in opposition of medical cannabis for residents. The medical cannabis and hemp legalization bill contained “inconsistencies” that would risk public health and safety. Additionally, Garita suggested that the bill would make it difficult to control illicit growth fields as it is currently written. 

Next Steps

For lawmakers, the president’s veto means they must take his recommendations into consideration before either amending the bill or voting for the measure as is for a second time. This time, a more substantive majority must pass the medical cannabis bill, instead of a simple majority. Should legislators pass the bill a second time, it will once again return to President Alvarado for his signature. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest. 

Make sure to check back for more cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic related news.