Cannabis medicinal y cáñamo industrial en Costa Rica: Marco legal y valoración del mercado para el análisis de cuantificación de cannabinoides

Abstract

Costa Rica has a specific legal framework on the subject of Cannabis, which regulates the use of psychoactive cannabis for medicinal and therapeutic purposes, as well as the production of hemp for food and industrial purposes, through Law N.º 10113. This legislation excludes the recreational use of cannabis and establishes differentiated conditions for products, according to their tetrahydrocannabinoid (different THC molecules) and cannabidiol (CBD) content. This article analyzes the main regulatory components and the scope of said law, highlighting the basic requirements for cultivation, industrial processing, traceability, licensing and oversight by the Costa Rican State. Additionally, it presents a competitive benchmarking study on cannabinoid analysis services in Costa Rica, identifying seven laboratories –both private and public- that offer specialized THC and CBD testing using advanced techniques such as HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) and gas chromatography. Key variables such as analytical accuracy, turnaround time, and technology used are compared. The article also includes a market segmentation analysis for laboratory services, targeting producers and businesses in the sector. Finally, the technical capacity of the Biotechnology Research Center (CIB) at the Costa Rica Institute of Technology is highlighted, showcasing its ability to offer analytical services validated according to international standards, thus positioning it as a key actor in the national ecosystem of medical cannabis and industrial hemp.