Yes, THCA is legal in Costa Rica when derived from hemp containing ≤0.3% THC, aligning with the 2022 Ley de Control de Cannabis and 2023 Reglamento de Cannabis No Psicoactivo. The Ministry of Health (MINSALUD) and the National Commission on Narcotics (CONADRO) oversee compliance, requiring THCA products to meet agricultural and laboratory standards. Recent 2026 draft amendments propose stricter THC thresholds for hemp-derived cannabinoids, potentially reducing the permissible THCA limit to 0.1%.
Key Regulations for THCA in Costa Rica
- Hemp Source Requirement: THCA must originate from hemp strains certified by the Servicio Fitosanitario del Estado (SFE), with THC content verified via third-party testing.
- Licensing Obligations: Importers, cultivators, and processors must obtain permits from MINSALUD and CONADRO, including GMP certification for extraction facilities.
- Labeling and THC Limits: Products must display THCA content prominently, and any THCA exceeding 0.3% THC (post-decarboxylation) is classified as a controlled substance under Ley 8262.