No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaCosta Rica Weighs Crime, Health Factors in Marijuana Legalization Bid

Costa Rica Weighs Crime, Health Factors in Marijuana Legalization Bid

Costa Rica finds itself divided over President Chaves’ latest call to legalize recreational marijuana use amid intensifying national debates over security and the drug trade’s role in surging violence nationwide.

During a press conference this week, President Chaves tied his arguments directly to confronting widespread drug trafficking operations active locally. “Costa Rica was a net exporter of marijuana for many years, and now we are importing very large quantities. It is a serious problem,” emphasized Chaves.

The president reignited this polarizing issue shortly after legislators rejected a proposed cannabis legalization bill in August 2022. The draft Law for the Control and Regulation of Cannabis for Recreational Use aimed to create a regulated marijuana market but fell five votes short of passage in the legislative Environment Commission.

Chaves directly linked legalization to combatting drug smugglers, stating, “I have to admit, we believe that marijuana consumption should be legal. But as long as it remains illegal, these ships that bring it into the country will continue to be sponsored.”

Several deputies across parties echoed Chaves’ perspective. Manuel Morales, President of the Environment Commission that oversees the stalled legalization bill, agrees the goal is regulating existing demand rather than promoting more usage.

“The marijuana market in Costa Rica is important; it is $120 million per year, and taking a slice of that to drug trafficking so that the Costa Rican State receives it and invests it in security, health, and education on drug abuse would be an important contribution to the country,” explained Morales.

Fellow deputy Daniela Rojas of the Social Christian Party also vocalized support, arguing international examples prove legalization aids both economic growth and anti-crime efforts. “I think it is important for the country to move forward in this discussion,” Rojas stated. “We have international examples of countries such as Uruguay, Canada, and some states in the United States where its legalization has contributed to economic development, but also to the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.”

However, some legislators remain fiercely opposed, especially from the opposition National Liberation Party (PLN). Deputy Dinorah Barquero alleged the bill lacks sufficient study of potential public health impacts from increased cannabis use. Meanwhile, fellow PLN member Gilbert Jiménez labeled Chaves’ legalization push as “inopportune” given the scale of Costa Rica’s security challenges with homicides and criminal groups.

“With actions like these, we would put the security of our country at greater risk,” argued Jiménez.

This divide both within and between parties suggests challenging legislative math for Chaves and allies to actually pass a law legalizing recreational cannabis sales and usage. But the president appears committed to force public debate on tying the issue to confronting the deepening impacts of drug smuggling and related violence gripping Costa Rica.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Fails to Meet Human Rights Standards for Deportees

The Ombudsman's Office has confirmed that Costa Rica was unprepared to provide adequate care for deportees who have entered the country since February. This...

Costa Rica Opens New Pedestrian Bridge at Guayabo National Monument

Costa Rica has added a new attraction to its archaeological sites with the opening of a pedestrian bridge at Guayabo National Monument. The structure...

Keylor Navas Joins Pumas UNAM in Major Liga MX Transfer

Keylor Navas has agreed to become the new goalkeeper for Pumas UNAM, marking one of the biggest signings in recent Liga MX history. The...

Low Dollar Exchange Rate Threatens Costa Rican Industry

Ten of Costa Rica’s leading business chambers have sent a joint letter to the Central Bank calling for an immediate adjustment to the country's...

El Salvador at Center of Controversial U.S.-Venezuela Detainee Exchange

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele received the 10 Americans exchanged on Friday between Washington and Caracas for 252 Venezuelans who had spent four months in...

Costa Rica Celebrates 201st Annexation Anniversary With New Nicoya Park

Nearly 200 people joined the Municipality of Nicoya this Sunday to inaugurate a new park at the Annexation Monument, an initiative that blends recreation,...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica