Costa Rican president announces plans to legalize cannabis

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves has announced plans to legalize cannabis. At the official act commemorating the first 100 days of his administration, the president created quite a stir by unveiling this initiative.

According to Rodrigo Chaves, the project will be sent to Congress for discussion. He also stated that his administration would soon publish the regulations on medical cannabis, that the previous Congress approved.

«We have prepared the regulation of industrial hemp and medical cannabis, and we will promote the bill for the legalization of recreational cannabis,» the president said in his speech.

Nevertheless, the President did not give precise details of how cannabis would be regulated.

The proposal takes no one by surprise. During his campaign, Rodrigo Chaves declared that he was in favor of legalizing cannabis and would initiate the necessary reforms. Chaves had also declared that there was scientific evidence to support this decision. He also explained the case of several countries that have legalized it and achieved good results.

In 2021, former Congressman Enrique Sanchez also introduced a bill to decriminalize the recreational use of cannabis. Legislators did not support it at the time. The country had already announced in 2020 its intention to return to growth with hemp.

Getting this project approved will not be an easy task. There are still many negative reactions to the proposal in certain sectors, and some political parties have opposed the legalization of cannabis in the past.

Fabricio Alvarado, leader of the New Republic party (PNR), said he would oppose the proposal. However, some parties are ready to decriminalize cannabis consumption and hope that there will be an open and transparent dialogue.

«We should analyze this proposal from different angles. The plan can be viable as long as we take into account the opinions of the various ministries. I think it has been applied in developed countries, with good results. It's important to talk openly,» noted Johana Obando, MP for the Progressive Liberal Party.