Costa Rica’s market for agriculture is a global standard! Well known for producing gourmet coffee, and other exports such as; bananas, pineapples, rice, sugar, corn and potatoes. Costa Rica dedicates 10% of its land to cultivating the various crops. In turn, the AG sector contributes 6.5% to Costa Rica’s GDP and utilizes 14% of the labor force.
To further expand the industry and grow the economy, Costa Rica passed The Medical Cannabis and Hemp Bill #21,388 in October 2021. And as of Sep. 7, 2022; the executive branch has incorporated Law No. 10113 relating to Use of cannabis or non-psychoactive cannabinoids for food and industrial use. Costa Rica classifies industrial hemp as less than 1% THC, and is available to the mass population. However, medical cannabis is still tightly regulated and granted to only certain individuals.
Entrepreneurs and farmers pursuing to grow hemp in Costa Rica can obtain a license from the Institute for Regulation and Control of Cannabis and Hemp (IIRCCA), which is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. The permit is valid for 6 years and is free to apply and obtain! Once obtained, an individual or business has the ability to-
Import
Cultivate
Harvest
Process
Manufacture
Market
Export
And Infuse
All products and derivatives relating to industrial hemp. With the capacity to create over 24,000 different materials, ranging from food, textiles, cosmetics, building materials, bioplastics, and pharmaceuticals; the market for hemp is incredibly diverse and lucrative.
Costa Rican hemp growers are geographically well positioned to produce high quality CBD products. The country’s tropical climate and year-round 12 hour light, allows farmers to grow hemp in all regions including the: Central Valley, North Pacific, Central and South Pacific, and Caribbean. In addition, the soil is rich with nutrients and well suited for hemp.
Planting occurs during the Verano season, which begins in December and continues till May. The drier months are ideal for growing conditions, with temperatures between 20-30 °C (70 -85 °F) during the day and around 18 °C (64 °F) during the night.
Lastly, Costa Rica has created a foundational export model that has generated billions in revenue for the country. Transnational trade agreements with North, Central, and South America can allow hemp to become a significant export crop, worth millions year after year. The hemp industry also has the potential to create thousands of new jobs, thus stabilizing the economy even more.