Marijuana Laws in Costa Rica
By AG Legal · Updated 2026
• Costa Rica prohibits recreational marijuana but regulates medical cannabis and hemp under Law 10113.
• THC products are legal exclusively through medical and pharmaceutical channels.
• Licenses exist for cultivation, manufacturing, industrial hemp, and product registration.
• Distribution is restricted to authorized pharmacies with digital prescriptions.
• AG Legal advises clients currently holding cannabis and hemp licenses in Costa Rica.
It’s 8:45 a.m. in San José. The sun is already hitting the Central Valley, and a foreign investor sits in a taxi on the way to a meeting with our firm. He opens a folder—neatly organized financial projections and plant genetics notes.
He looks up and asks the question we hear almost every day:
“Is cannabis really legal in Costa Rica? And if so… how do I get a license?”
The truth is that marijuana laws in Costa Rica are far more structured—and far more promising—than most investors realize. The country has moved past the era of grey zones and informal tolerance. Today, Costa Rica is quietly building one of Central America’s most stable frameworks for medical cannabis, THC products, and industrial hemp.
This guide is built for investors like him—and like you—who need the clearest and most practical roadmap to entering Costa Rica’s regulated cannabis industry.
Unlike markets where regulations shift quickly or lack institutional clarity, Costa Rica has positioned itself as a disciplined, compliance-driven jurisdiction—one capable of supporting well-structured, investment-grade cannabis projects. For companies exploring long-term deployment of capital, this legal environment offers predictability, governance oversight and a transparent licensing structure.
This article provides a comprehensive and professionally oriented overview of marijuana laws in Costa Rica, including the legal treatment of THC, the regulatory path for medical cannabis, requirements for industrial hemp, and step-by-step guidance for obtaining a cannabis license in Costa Rica.
Table of contents
- 1. Executive overview of marijuana laws in Costa Rica
- 2. Recreational use vs. regulated markets
- 3. The medical cannabis framework under Law 10113
- 4. THC legality and regulatory conditions
- 5. Industrial hemp: regulatory and commercial opportunities
- 6. Costa Rica drug laws and controlled substances
- 7. Cannabis license architecture
- 8. Licensing process: step-by-step for investors
- 9. Pharmacy distribution requirements
- 10. Compliance considerations for investment-grade projects
- 11. Frequently asked questions
1. Executive overview of marijuana laws in Costa Rica
Costa Rica maintains a regulatory system that is both protective of public health and conducive to controlled investment. The country enforces strict anti-trafficking laws while simultaneously providing a formally structured legal regime for medical cannabis and industrial hemp.
The legal landscape can be summarized as follows:
- Recreational marijuana: prohibited.
- Personal consumption: tolerated in practice, though not legalized.
- Medical cannabis & industrial hemp: fully regulated and legal with licenses.
- THC-containing products: restricted to medical and pharmaceutical channels.
For institutional investors, the legitimate opportunities lie exclusively in the regulated medical cannabis and industrial hemp sectors, where compliance, traceability and licensing standards provide a clear operational framework.
2. Recreational use vs. regulated markets
Although personal possession of small quantities is often treated with tolerance, Costa Rican law does not authorize recreational cannabis production, commercialization or distribution. Any activity outside the medical and industrial pathways falls under the domain of drug control and criminal enforcement.
Professional investors should therefore disregard the recreational segment entirely; the operational and legal ecosystem is designed for compliant medical and industrial projects with robust regulatory oversight.
3. The medical cannabis framework under Law 10113
The cornerstone of Costa Rica’s regulated market is Law No. 10113, which authorizes:
- Medical and therapeutic cannabis production
- Industrial hemp cultivation and processing
- Commercialization of registered products
- Licensing for cultivation, manufacturing and research
The law has enabled the issuance of multiple licenses to both local and foreign-backed entities. AG Legal currently represents clients operating under this regulatory framework, including cultivation, processing and integrated cannabis companies.
- Pharmaceutical-grade regulation
- Mandatory licensing for all activities
- Traceability and quality control
- Strict compliance oversight by health and agricultural authorities
4. THC legality and regulatory conditions
In Costa Rica, THC is legal exclusively for medical purposes and must adhere to strict regulatory pathways. THC-containing products are permitted only if:
- They obtain sanitary registration from the Ministry of Health.
- They comply with pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.
- They are distributed solely through authorized pharmacies.
- Patients hold a valid medical prescription.
This framework positions Costa Rica within a controlled medical model, emphasizing safety, accountability and formal distribution channels.
5. Industrial hemp: regulatory and commercial opportunities
Industrial hemp represents an agile entry point for investors interested in agricultural or manufacturing operations. Licenses have been granted for:
- Cultivation
- Harvesting and drying
- Initial processing
- Cosmetic and food-grade products
For companies engaged in nutraceuticals, personal care, textiles or industrial composites, Costa Rica provides regulatory stability and access to export-friendly production chains.
6. Costa Rica drug laws and controlled substances
Searching for terms such as “what drugs are legal in Costa Rica” or “Costa Rica drug laws” may lead to misconceptions. The reality is straightforward:
- Most controlled substances remain illegal.
- Medical cannabis and hemp are the only regulated exceptions.
- Personal consumption is tolerated, but not legalized.
- Trafficking and unlicensed production remain criminal offences.
7. Cannabis license architecture in Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers a structured licensing ecosystem for regulated operations. The principal categories include:
| License | Scope | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial hemp authorization | Cultivation, harvesting, and initial processing of hemp. | MAG |
| Medical cannabis cultivation license | Licensed THC or CBD cannabis production. | MAG |
| Manufacturing license | Extraction, formulation and industrial-scale processing. | MAG & Ministry of Health |
| Sanitary product registration | Authorization for specific THC or CBD products. | Ministry of Health |
8. Licensing process: step-by-step for investors
AG Legal advises investors through a structured and compliance-driven licensing process:
- Define the project’s operational model.
- Incorporate a Costa Rican legal entity.
- Select suitable land aligned with zoning and environmental requirements.
- Prepare technical, agronomic and security documentation.
- Submit the formal license application to MAG and/or the Ministry of Health.
- Undergo site inspections and compliance evaluations.
- Obtain sanitary registrations for commercial products.
- Maintain ongoing compliance, renewals and operational reporting.
9. Pharmacy distribution requirements
Under Costa Rica pharmacy laws, THC-based medical cannabis products are treated as regulated pharmaceuticals. As such:
- They may only be sold in licensed pharmacies.
- A medical prescription is required.
- Products must comply with sanitary registration and traceability protocols.
- Marketing and advertising are strictly regulated.
10. Compliance considerations for investment-grade projects
- Commencing operations before obtaining required licenses.
- Non-compliant THC thresholds in hemp crops.
- Insufficient environmental and zoning approvals.
- Failure to implement robust traceability and quality systems.
- Unauthorized importation of genetics or inputs.
11. Frequently asked questions
1. Is cannabis legal in Costa Rica?
Recreational cannabis is prohibited. Medical cannabis and industrial hemp are legal and regulated under Law 10113.
2. Is THC legal in Costa Rica?
Yes, but only for medical use and only through licensed and registered products.
3. What drugs are legal in Costa Rica?
Only medical cannabis and industrial hemp are legally regulated. Most controlled substances remain illegal.
4. Can a foreign company own a cannabis business?
Yes. Foreign investors may fully own licensed cannabis and hemp companies in Costa Rica.
5. Does Costa Rica permit recreational cannabis sales?
No. Recreational commercialization remains prohibited.
6. How long does licensing take?
Several months depending on documentation quality, inspections and project scale.
7. Are CBD products freely sold?
Not always. Many CBD products require sanitary registration.
8. Do THC products require pharmacy distribution?
Yes, THC medical products must be dispensed through authorized pharmacies.
9. Can companies import seeds or genetics?
Only with proper authorization and phytosanitary approvals.
10. Does AG Legal assist with cannabis licensing?
Yes. Our firm advises companies already licensed in cultivation, processing and commercialization.