Costa Rica Opens Applications for Medical Cannabis and Hemp Permits in 2026

Costa Rica Medical Cannabis Permits – Costa Rica has officially opened applications for medical cannabis and industrial hemp permits, marking a key milestone in the country’s regulated cannabis framework. This step supports the implementation of Law 10113 and reinforces a controlled, compliance-based approach for patient safety and product quality.

What This Means for the Medical Cannabis Industry in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s permit process enables qualified entities to submit documentation for regulated activities such as medical cannabis production, processing, industrial hemp cultivation, and research. Authorities have emphasized strict compliance standards focused on quality control, traceability, and regulatory oversight.

Impact on Patients and Access to Treatment

For patients, this development strengthens the national infrastructure supporting safe and regulated access to medical cannabis treatments. As licensing advances, the market may expand availability of standardized, laboratory-tested formulations, including THC-based and CBD-dominant therapies, aligned with medical supervision.

Regulatory Oversight Under Law 10113

All permits operate within the scope of Law 10113, which establishes requirements for medical supervision, licensed physician prescriptions, controlled production and distribution pathways, and ongoing compliance monitoring. This framework keeps medical cannabis as a clinically guided treatment.

What’s Next

The opening of permit applications signals long-term growth for Costa Rica’s cannabis sector and continued progress toward a structured, medically supervised system. Patients and stakeholders should expect gradual implementation as authorities review and approve permits under the regulatory framework.