In a unique play, Costa Rica took one giant step closer to legalizing its home cannabis trade. Costa Rica's legislature referred the unresolved cannabis reform to its highest court around late October. And on the 1st of December, 2021, Sala IV, the constitutional court docket, discovered that nothing within the law could prevent it from reversing the bill into legislation. Now, the ball is back in the legislature's court, and it's time to play.
This news is certainly a huge step for Costa Rica. The bill is known as “Law on Cannabis for medicinal and therapeutic use and Hemp for industrial use,” which was initially authorized on the 21st of October 2021. At that time, a vote of 33 against 13 won the approval for the second round of voting. However, instead of the bill to advance for a second vote, more politics came into play. A faction of 10 deputies posted the pending bill to the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court. This was done to get a valid review and basically stall the overall passage of the bill.
Generally, many believe that the legislature of Costa Rica initially came to support the legalization of cannabis thanks to Panama's pro-cannabis influence. This is because Panama, Costa Rica's neighbor to the south, legalized the medicinal use of cannabis a day before Costa Rica came to the major decision.
The legalization bill, which is ready for the second round of voting, aims to offer local and small cannabis producers an economic boost. The farmers are to receive 40% of the licenses that will be published by the Ministry of Livestock and Agriculture. Regardless, the use of cannabis for recreational purposes would still be prohibited.
What is the Next Step for Costa Rica?
After the court ruling, legislator Zoila Volio inquired for more information. President Carlos Alvarado makes a statement about the endeavor to the Legislative Assembly. In fact, Geannina Dinarte, the minister of the presidency, has already made some public announcements. She announced that since the court ruling had been passed, the bill would be publicly convened to an extraordinary session. No doubt reform has taken quite some time (about two years now), but the moment is nearer than ever. So far, so good; just one organization has the approval to study and examine the viability of cannabis.
A Costa Rica Cannabis Tourist Trade on the Horizon?
Costa Rica is a Central American country with a population estimate of 5 million people. It is bordered in the South by Panama and in the north by Nicaragua. Costa Rica has for a while been a vacation spot for tourists looking to have some fun of their overwhelming schedule. The country also draws many retirees from America who look to enjoy the country's climate and way of life.
Costa Rica is well known for its progressive and steady democracy and progressive social insurance policies. Since the country nullified its military in 1948, all funds that would have been budgeted for the nation's protection were allocated elsewhere. Today, Costa Rica has invested heavily in its training and health care system, offering the best medical practices.
The average vacationer who is conversant with the city understands that cannabis is simply obtainable and decriminalized in Costa Rica. But, while personal possession of cannabis is decriminalized, it's still unlawful to manufacture cannabis. The Narcotic Drug legislation of Costa Rica is in charge of monitoring the cultivation of cannabis. They have the power to issue a jail sentence between eight to fifteen years to offenders arrested for manufacturing and cultivating cannabis.
With the legalization of cannabis imminent, a legislated medical cannabis trade would give Costa Rica a lot of advantages. Not only will citizens make good earnings and have decent jobs. But Costa Rica could also become one of the fascinating medical hashish trip nations globally.
The Pacific and Caribbean oceans span Costa Rica's coast, and the lush rainforest greatly expresses its beauty to millions a year. The country is already one of the top vacation spots in Central America. It is toured by tourists who love the country's atmosphere and ambiance and those who are searching for extraordinary ecotourism expertise. Include cannabis trade into this combination, and the outcomes are sure to be beneficial. No doubt, the alternatives for the growth of the cannabis sector could earn an improvement from cultivation in this side of the globe.
Sustainable Cannabis
There continues to be a debate on discussions concerning what makes up sustainable practices in the cannabis industry. There are varied ways to address this idea. There's the angle of labor relations and also that of processing operations and efficient growth.
Nonetheless, competing in the global market requires a high level of processing operations and efficient growth. This is because cannabis is held to a high pharmaceutical standard (GMP) than other crops. Hence, cannabis must be produced indoors.
Analyzing the situation from a real estate point of view, indoor production of cannabis in places like South and Central America won't work. This is because the growth of the cannabis industry in areas like this might evolve into a harmful practice. Brazil is a very good example.
However, in Costa Rica, this model might get to work courtesy of Costa Rica's liberal strategy to rainforest conservation. Hopefully, the model is successful and thriving, and growing in a second-world country. Undoubtedly, as the cannabis industry in Costa Rica develops, it will surely face some challenges. But, something is certain with the onward push of cannabis legalization in Costa Rica. A chain of reactions is about to be set.
Conclusion
The second round of voting determines whether or not medicinal use of cannabis would be legalized in Costa Rica. If the voting goes in favor, the project gets approved. The only thing left would be President Carlos Alvarado's signature and a publication from the Official Gazette La Gaceta. Then, the bill comes into law.
The bill will see the free production, cultivation, commercialization, industrialization of hemp and its by-products. Farmers will be free to produce without the need for additional authorization from the government.
PANAMA AND COSTA RICA GO CANNABIS GREEN, READ MORE..
PANAMA MAY BE NEXT TO JOIN THE CANNABIS GREEN RUSH!
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