Costa Rica Begins Pharmacy-Only Medical Cannabis Sales
Based on reporting by The Tico Times (June 19, 2025).
What Changed
Medical cannabis is now on sale in Costa Rica, but access remains tightly controlled. Under the newly enacted regulation, these products may be sold only in pharmacies and only to patients holding a valid prescription — a narrower opening than parts of the industry and some patients expected.
How Dispensing Works
- Sales are limited to licensed pharmacies; retail dispensaries are not part of the model.
- A valid medical prescription is required, with controls comparable to other psychotropic medicines.
- Pharmacies verify prescriptions through Costa Rica's digital prescription system to prevent duplication, misuse or overdose.
Who May Benefit
Patients living with cancer, fibromyalgia, epilepsy and other chronic illnesses can now consider cannabis as a complementary treatment option. Representatives of the Costa Rican Association of Pharmacists have stressed that it is not a first-line therapy and must be managed with the same rigor applied to any other medication, and that these safeguards are what make safe, professional and controlled use possible.
Industry Pushback
Parts of the private sector disagree with the design. Executives in the local cannabis industry argue that giving pharmacies exclusive selling rights limits competition, and at least one company has raised the possibility of challenging the restriction before the Constitutional Chamber.
The Bigger Picture
Globally, the medical cannabis market was valued at roughly $6.8 billion in 2020 and is projected to approach $53.9 billion by 2030 as therapeutic use gains acceptance.
What This Means for CVCC Patients
The path to treatment is unchanged and begins with a medical evaluation by an authorized physician, followed by a prescription that can be filled at a licensed pharmacy. Our team can guide you through evaluation, product selection and dosing.