My friend Tomas has worked most of his life in one kind of tourism or another. He’s 100 percent Tico but spent many years in the states and is fluent in English and wise to the ways of the bigger world. I had not heard from him in a while.
Then I got a short Whatsapp message that said: “I read your article about tourism in Central America. There was something you left out of the equation.”
I called him a few hours after I saw the message.
After some small talk, he asked me if I was aware of marijuana laws throughout Central America. I admitted that I was not. It was a topic I should have anticipated as not only is Tomas a tourism expert, he is also well acquainted with the underground ganja business in Costa Rica.
He got right to the point: “Costa Rica,” he said, “will have a continual advantage because not only are our weed laws softer, so is our policing. We have medical marijuana now, and the black market also thrives. If you do have the misfortune of being stopped and searched on the street by the fuerza publica, they will usually just confiscate your stash, as long as you aren’t carrying multiple packets. What they do with your stash is anybody’s guess, but that would likely be the extent of your punishment.
“Now compare that to our neighbors. Panama has medical marijuana, but try going into a pharmacy and faking it. Probably will be an armed guard in a military uniform watching everybody who enters. Get busted even with a small amount from the street, and best case scenario they deport you. If you are not so lucky they may introduce you to one of their not so pleasant jails. You were right about them bringing in so much jack between the canal and being an international banking headquarters that more tourism is simply an added plus to the economy.
“And our neighbors to the north are even stricter. Total prohibition. Nicaragua, even recreational use is considered a serious crime. Being a tourist doesn’t help. There is no leniency. Get busted with one little joint and you will be detained and deported. Guatemala and Honduras, pretty much ditto. In Belize, you can grow your own for personal use, but otherwise buying or selling, is a crime.”
“You left out El Salvador,” I said.
“Ah yes, our new competition. I wonder how many surfers and Gen Z tourists are going to want to visit a place where not only is weed completely illegal, but the ever present security forces can search and detain you without due process. Get caught smoking a bowl and you can say goodbye to your vacation and maybe your freedom.”
“So what is your conclusion on all this?” I asked.
“The cool dictator,’ he said, referring to Bukele. “Ain’t so cool after all.”
“No. What I mean is, how is this beneficial to Costa Rica? Plenty of people can enjoy their vacation without even thinking about ganja. Millions of travelers come to Central America to enjoy the nature and the culture without a thought toward marijuana laws.”
“And millions come here hoping to score a little smoke to enhance their experience.”
“And how would you market this? What, an ad campaign showing smiling red-eyed sloths hanging from trees and puffing on spliffs?”
“Of course not. A simple, all-encompassing information campaign. There are a million ways to get these facts out to the people online. Just let them know they can light up in Costa Rica without fear of being thrown in jail with violent criminals or tossed from the country with no refunds on their hotel rooms.”
“Good luck with that,” I said.
“Luck has nothing to do with it,” he concluded. “If Costa Rica wants to continue to be the long term king of tourism in our area, all the people need to know is that we are truly the greenest destination of all.”
