On Wednesday, after finishing the Government Council, President Rodrigo Chaves announced a plan to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Costa Rica.

According to the President Chaves, the plan was sent to Congress, where the deputies will be in charge of analyzing it, then they'll decide whether to reject or approve the recreational use of marijuana.

Currently, gangs and traffickers make money from the illegal sale of marijuana and put at risk the integrity of consumers, so this project is important to create the parameters of control and regulation of Cannabis recreational use, Chaves said

"Let's recognize reality, let's follow the path of rational countries like Uruguay, some States of USA and very modern countries in Europe to recognize the reality that this happens (marijuana consumption) and it must be regulated," the president added.

Chaves asked Congress to have a technical and rational debate on the legalization of marijuana use, "so that at the end of the day they decide what this society is going to do with something that is happening."

The bill would also regulate all commercial activities related to the consumption of marijuana, the collection of taxes and the parameters for establishing businesses related to this activity.

 

In addition, with the approval of this law, consumers will be able to acquire marijuana safely, without exposing themselves to violence, drug trafficking and will have access to a product regulated by health authorities.

In September, lawmakers issued "Cannabis Law for Medicinal and Therapeutic Use and Hemp for Food and Industrial Use." The regulation is intended to monitor the production of industrial hemp in Costa Rica.

                                              

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