, COSTA RICA – Recreational Cannabis Control Bill Declared Unconstitutional

COSTA RICA – Recreational Cannabis Control Bill Declared Unconstitutional

In a recent ruling, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice declared the legislative bill No. 23383, titled “Law for the Control and Regulation of Cannabis for Recreational Use,” unconstitutional. It is worth noting that Costa Rica had previously enacted two laws in 2022 regulating the use of cannabis and hemp exclusively for medicinal, therapeutic, and industrial purposes. The proposed bill aimed to regulate the recreational use of cannabis for adults, including controls over its production, commercialization, and responsible consumption. It also sought to decouple the cannabis market from drug trafficking, one of Costa Rica’s significant security challenges.

The Constitutional Court found the bill unconstitutional primarily because it contradicts international treaties ratified by Costa Rica. Specifically, the Justices cited the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Vienna Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Under Article 7 of Costa Rica’s Political Constitution, these treaties hold a superior legal status over domestic laws.

Additionally, the Court determined that the proposed legislation conflicted with the two existing laws governing cannabis in Costa Rica, which strictly limit its production, commercialization, and consumption to medical, scientific, and therapeutic purposes.

As a result, Costa Rica remains without a legal framework for recreational cannabis use, unlike neighboring countries and jurisdictions such as various U.S. states, Canada, Uruguay, and recently Mexico. In these regions, governments have either regulated recreational use or opted for “decriminalization” models, which allow personal consumption while maintaining penalties for commercialization.

What’s next for Costa Rica following this ruling?
Given the country’s current legal obligations under ratified international treaties, Costa Rica would need to withdraw or denounce these agreements to pursue legislative changes allowing recreational cannabis use.

For more information or inquiries, please contact us at info@central-law.com

Gian María Berello
Associate
Costa Rica

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