Costa Rica is on the cusp of a healthcare revolution as the sale of cannabis products in pharmacies is set to launch in January 2025. This move marks a significant step towards greater accessibility to medicinal cannabis for the general public, paving the way for a new era of natural and less invasive treatment options.
Green Mountain Medical, a prominent Costa Rican pharmaceutical company, will be responsible for supplying pharmacies with a diverse range of cannabis products. These products include pure flower, waxes, gummies, extracts, cookies, and oils, offering a comprehensive selection for patients seeking relief from various ailments. CEO Thomas McCullen, highlighting the breadth of options, stated, “The range of products that will be available is quite broad.”
This initiative is driven by the desire to provide patients with natural alternatives for managing chronic conditions and pain. It signifies a notable shift in how Costa Rica’s healthcare system approaches cannabis-based treatments, embracing its therapeutic potential.
Training and Awareness for Cannabis Integration
To ensure safe and effective use of cannabis-derived products, Costa Rican doctors will undergo comprehensive training sessions on the uses and benefits of cannabis. Dr. Dustin Sulak, a renowned expert in therapeutic cannabis from the United States, has already visited Costa Rica to share his expertise and guide healthcare professionals on best practices.
Legal Framework and Regulatory Milestones
On October 18, 2024, Costa Rica officially implemented the regulations for Law Nr. 10113, which governs the use of medicinal cannabis and hemp for therapeutic, food, and industrial purposes. This landmark legislation addresses delays and challenges previously encountered in implementing the law, ensuring its smooth operation and fostering growth within the sector.
The Constitutional Court, in a significant ruling last September, sided with a protection appeal against the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, demanding prompt regulation to address delays. This ruling further propelled the advancement of cannabis-related legislation in Costa Rica.
Reclassification and Manufacturing Licenses
Medicinal cannabis products have been reclassified, differentiating between “dry products” (such as flowers and inflorescences) and “dose-specific products” (containing set concentrations of CBD or THC). This reclassification allows these products to be sold as therapeutic items without the stringent restrictions associated with prescription drugs.
Furthermore, authorized pharmacies will be required to obtain manufacturing licenses to prepare custom cannabis formulations. These formulations will be dispensed with medical prescriptions, specifying the desired THC concentration.
Towards a Fully Regulated Industry
While there are still steps to be taken, these new regulations bring Costa Rica closer to a fully regulated medicinal cannabis market, creating new opportunities for the industry and providing alternative treatment options for patients.
The regulations emphasize stringent quality, control, and traceability standards for all medicinal and therapeutic cannabis products. The Ministry of Health is tasked with overseeing and regulating all activities related to the production, industrialization, and commercialization of health-related and psychoactive cannabis products for medicinal and therapeutic purposes.
This move by Costa Rica reflects a growing global trend towards embracing the therapeutic potential of cannabis, offering hope and a natural path to healing for countless individuals.
