Cannabis in Costa Rica: Commission Agrees to President’s Veto

Three weeks ago, the president of Costa Rica vetoed parts of the newly proposed cannabis bill, bringing to a halt progress that was being made in that direction. The Environment Commission has now agreed to do away with the vetoed parts of the hemp and cannabis bill in Costa Rica, better known as “Law Of Cannabis For Medicinal And Therapeutic Use And Hemp For Food And Industrial Use In Costa Rica.”

The President was uncomfortable with certain technicalities in the bill which he felt would jeopardize the legitimate benefits and put at risk the health and safety of the public. The areas in question involved home-cultivation and personal consumption.

Last Wednesday, the Legislative Assembly approved the objections by vote of 6 vs. 1. This means that articles 25 and 26 of the bill that touch on self-consumption for medicinal or therapeutic purposes will be eliminated. In addition, article 5 touching on hemp growing will be modified.
The deputies who voted in favor of the veto include Ana Karine Niño, Wagner Jiménez Erwen Masís Castro, and Paola Valladares, Mario Castillo Méndez, and Mileidy Alvarado. Only the president of the commission, Paola Vega Rodríguez voted against the veto.

What’s next?

The Environment Commission unit of the legislative assembly will table this to the Plenary and recommend the Executive's veto. A second vote will be taken. If this sails through, it is highly likely that a separate bill will be presented to re-introduce personal use and self-cultivation

By accepting the veto, the commission is giving the Costa Rican cannabis bill a chance to become law. If the veto was rejected, 38 votes (a tall order) would be required to seal the bill into law.