'Puerto Rico Is Unique': Marijuana Laws And Vision For Cannabis Tourism

Article via El Planteo

"Stigma was never an excuse," says Noemí Pérez, founder of GreenBook Academy and president of Puerto Rico MedCann.Biz, on her mission to bring medicinal cannabis education to every corner of Puerto Rico. Since the program’s inception in 2015, Pérez has worked to shift views around cannabis, from being seen as a prohibited substance to being understood as a therapeutic tool with significant benefits. This has been no small task, involving traveling across towns to offer free workshops and train both professionals and patients alike.

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GreenBook Academy is not just an educational hub, it's a force for change. The academy prepares individuals interested in areas such as cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and sales, creating an ecosystem of skilled workers in the cannabis industry. "Puerto Rico's regulations are unique," Pérez explains, highlighting how the strict educational requirements have helped establish a regulated and professionalized market. Local regulations mandate that all cannabis industry employees complete a minimum level of training, which has been crucial in breaking down prejudices and integrating the community.

Education And Community: Shifting The Perception Of Medicinal Cannabis In Puerto Rico

Pérez recalls the early days of Puerto Rico's medicinal cannabis industry: "There were no patients, no doctors, no vendors." Through the Cannaworks Institute, Pérez has introduced entire communities to medicinal cannabis. This educational strategy has become a continuous awareness campaign, helping her gain ground against stigma and attract more professionals to the industry.

The entrepreneur recognizes that in a society with Puerto Rico's strong pharmaceutical heritage, quality and seriousness are vital for cannabis to thrive. In her view, the island's pharmaceutical approach, with its high-quality standards, not only ensures safe products but builds consumer trust. "Here in Puerto Rico, the medicinal cannabis project follows the same pharmaceutical foundations," she explains. This regulatory approach has helped medicinal cannabis be seen more as a legitimate option and less as a recreational substance.

Medical Cannabis Tourism: Creating A Wellness-Focused Puerto Rico

Pérez's mission extends beyond local education. With her vision for expanding medicinal tourism, GreenBook Academy aims to offer a holistic experience for patients visiting the island. Inspired by the Caribbean's tourism growth, Pérez has developed an innovative program allowing patients from other jurisdictions who cannot bring their medicinal cannabis with them to access products in Puerto Rico. This experience—complete with educational tours and dispensary visits—provides visitors with a comprehensive introduction to medicinal cannabis in a safe, regulated environment.

"It's like a ‘workshop on wheels,'" Pérez says excitedly. This initiative not only promotes wellness tourism but also helps reinforce Puerto Rico's image as a leader in health care and alternative therapies. For the founder of GreenBook, this experience is an opportunity to normalize medicinal cannabis use while creating jobs and strengthening the local economy.

2025: A Vision For The Future Of Cannabis In Puerto Rico

For Pérez, the goal for 2025 is clear: broaden education and access to medicinal cannabis across the island. Although recreational legalization remains uncertain, Pérez is focused on promoting an accessible, safe and educational medicinal cannabis model. Through GreenBook Academy, she plans to keep training new professionals, expand medicinal tourism and ensure that more patients learn about and trust cannabis as a viable therapeutic option.

The dedication of Noemí Pérez and her team has established GreenBook Academy and Cannaworks as pillars in developing a respected and professional medicinal cannabis industry in Puerto Rico. Looking toward an inclusive and accessible future, Pérez continues to break down barriers, challenge stigmas and demonstrate that medicinal cannabis has a solid place in the island's health and economy.

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