Yes, THCA is legal in Chile under specific conditions. The 2026 update to Law No. 20.000 (Drug Control Law) exempts non-psychoactive cannabinoids, including THCA, when derived from hemp with ≤0.3% THC. The Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) regulates cultivation, requiring licenses for industrial hemp producers.
Key Regulations for THCA in Chile
- Hemp Source: THCA must originate from hemp strains approved by SAG, with THC content ≤0.3% post-decarboxylation. Non-compliant products face seizure under customs authority (Servicio Nacional de Aduanas).
- Licensing: Industrial hemp cultivation requires a SAG-issued permit, mandating seed traceability and THC testing at accredited labs (e.g., Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias).
- Distribution: THCA products (e.g., raw flower, extracts) may be sold only through licensed pharmacies or authorized retailers, with mandatory labeling of cannabinoid profiles and origin.
Enforcement Nuances: While THCA itself is permitted, products marketed with unproven therapeutic claims trigger oversight by the Institute of Public Health (ISP), which enforces pharmaceutical advertising restrictions. Imports require prior ISP approval, with THCA-rich shipments subject to phytosanitary inspections. Non-compliance risks fines up to 1,000 UTM (≈$90,000 USD) or criminal charges under narcotics laws for mislabeled psychoactive products.