Costa Rica Aims To Expand Hemp Sector With 57 Licenses And University Research—But Is Still Far From Its Target

The hemp industry is advancing in Costa Rica. Between November 8, 2022 and September 3, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) issued 57 licenses for hemp cultivation and derivative production. Each license is valid for six years.

According to MAG data, these hemp licenses are primarily concentrated in the San José and Guanacaste regions, reported TicoTimes.

Hemp & Universities

In tandem with MAG's licensing efforts, educational institutions like Universidad Nacional (UNA) and Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) are driving pilot experiments in hemp cultivation.

UNA was the first to receive a research license in August 2023, marking a critical milestone in hemp-focused scientific studies. The university's research aims to optimize cultivation processes by studying two Canadian hemp varieties, seeking to refine techniques that enhance physiological traits in the plants.

Read Also: Costa Rica Legalizes Medical Cannabis Use & Hemp Cultivation, Recreational Weed Still Prohibited

"Right now, we are just starting. What is clear is that as state, business and academic actors collaborate more effectively, we will be able to catalyze the process and move much faster," said Jorge Herrera, vice rector of research at UNA.

In partnership with Más Verde, a company dedicated to advancing Costa Rica's hemp industry, UNA is establishing infrastructure to aid local hemp production. The collaborative effort aims to create a foundation that will attract international companies to Guanacaste and the Southern Zone to process hemp under Costa Rica's free trade model.

Still Far From Target

Despite the rise in licensed operators, Roy Thompson, president of Costa Rica's Hemp and Cannabis Chamber, emphasized that the country is still far from meeting its legislative target of 10,000 licenses.

"What I believe is that we have to walk before we run. We need to build testing and processing infrastructure so that various actors and companies can integrate into the system and produce according to standards and requirements," Thompson remarked.

Efforts to develop hemp complement those made in the medical cannabis sector. In related news, Costa Rica will begin selling cannabis products in pharmacies starting January 2025, marking a new era of accessible medicinal cannabis. Green Mountain Medical will supply various products, and regulatory updates now allow therapeutic cannabis sales without strict prescription constraints, supported by specialized training for healthcare providers.

• Read Next: Costa Rican Pharmacies Set To Sell Cannabis In 2025: What To Expect

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