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Puerto Rico

Regulatory Framework

The Puerto Rico Department of Health (Departamento de Salud) oversees the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (Oficina de Cannabis Medicinal), which falls under the Executive Branch of the Puerto Rico government [1].

Legal Status

Market Status Statute Year
Adult-Use Illegal Title 42 Subsection IV 1971 [2]
Medical Legal Executive Order 2015-10 2015 [3]
Homegrow Illegal Title 42 Subsection IV 1971 [2]

Track-and-Trace

The Puerto Rico Department of Health began using BioTrackTHC for their medical cannabis traceability needs in 2018 [4].

Licensing

The Department of Health issues licenses for different types of cannabis businesses in Puerto Rico, including [5]:

  • Cultivator licenses
  • Processor licenses
  • Dispensary licenses
  • Laboratory testing licenses
  • Transportation licenses

The process for applying for cannabis business licenses is complex and requires steps including [1]:

  • Pre-application conference with the Department of Health.
  • Submission of a detailed application package.
  • Public hearing and review process.
  • Payment of fees and obtaining necessary permits.

Possession Limits

Patients may possess up to a 30-day supply of non-smokable cannabis products [6]. Cannabis cultivation of cannabis by patients is illegal [2].

Medical Cannabis

Patients can apply for a medical marijuana card if they have been diagnosed with one of the qualifying conditions listed by the Department of Health [7]. Registration steps include [1]:

  1. Getting a medical recommendation from a licensed physician.
  2. Registering online.
  3. Creating a request and upload a medical recommendation.
  4. Completing the requirements, including a privacy policy agreement, photo, and additional documents.

Registered caregivers, called "Authorized Companions," must be at least 21 years old, residents of Puerto Rico, and pass a background check [8].

Additional Resources