Costa Rica: Assembly Approves Law on the Use of Medical Cannabis

Panama, days away from allowing the use of medicinal cannabis 3:05

(CNN Spanish) --

After months of discussion, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica approved in second debate the bill that legalizes the use of medicinal cannabis.

The initiative, which had 29 votes in favor and 10 against, also contemplates the production of hemp for industrial purposes.

For the law to enter into force, in addition to the two legislative debates, it requires the signature of President Carlos Alvarado and subsequently be published in the official newspaper La Gaceta.

The president also has the power to veto it.

• Malta will become the first country in the European Union to legalize cannabis for recreational use

In a press release, the Minister of Communication, Agustín Castro, said that once the project reaches the Executive Branch, it will follow its natural and formal process, which implies its transfer to the knowledge of the ministries involved "to analyze the content of the project and present its recommendations to the president, who evaluates them and makes the final decision regarding the signature”.

Therefore, Castro added, "there is currently no definitive decision on this issue, one way or the other."

If President Alvarado decides to veto the bill, the deputies can insist on its approval and with 38 votes in favor they would nullify the presidential veto.

The plan received 33 votes in the first debate and 29 in this second discussion.

The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica is made up of 57 legislators.

medical cannabis