Is Weed Legal in Puerto Rico? Cannabis Legalization Guide (Updated – 2023)

Marijuana or Weed or Cannabis. Whatever you call it, it is always looked down as a drug that is to have adverse effects like psychosis and has even proven to be fatal. Hence, it is illegal. However, Medical Marijuana or Cannabis can be used for medicinal and healing purposes. Many medically extreme conditions can be improved over the prescribed use of Cannabis. Thus, for medicinal motives, it is legal in Puerto Rico and for recreational uses, it is still illegal like in many countries.

Legislation History

So now we know that marijuana is legal for medicinal causes. But, how did it all start in Puerto Rico? In 2015, Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla signed an executive order (Act No:42) that enabled the use of some or all parts of marijuana for patients in Puerto Rico undergoing severe medical issues. Later in 2017, this executive order was made legal. By 2018, Puerto Rico further specified the requirements for authorized physicians. This same regulation also made it legal to serve the registered patients in Puerto Rican dispensaries existing in other countries where weed is legal like the U.S.

Where is it Safe to Consume?

Although it is made legal to consume weed for purely medicinal purposes, it is still limited to use in private places. Secluded places like private houses where the consumer is monitored and authorized for consumption. Near schools, nurseries, parks, or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals, or other such healthcare space is also illegal. It is wise to always look out for private places and secluded houses for consumption.

Consumption Guide

As far as a way of consumption is concerned, smoking is still illegal even if it is for medical treatment. There are numerous other ways that Cannabis can be provided to help in the betterment of the patient’s severe condition that is approved by the Department of Health in Puerto Rico:

1. Capsules, tablets, or edibles
2. Oral drops, oral inhalers, or concentrates
3. Oil, topical ointments, and creams
4. Vaporization of Cannabis or Suppositories
5. Transdermal patches

Possession

Medical consumption is legal in Puerto Rico but you need to be a registered patient. Such registered patients are allowed to intake a daily amount of 1 ounce (28 grams) of a flower. If you prefer to take it in edible forms or THC in concentrate, the limit is 8 grams. This is also monitored and only permitted for 30 days at a time. However, weed cultivation by individuals is not permitted near houses.

Medical Marijuana Registry

Possession of an MMJ card is mandatory. To be able to claim consumption of medical marijuana, you must be a registered patient. To register yourself in Puerto Rico, certain steps are to be followed along with the legal consumption age i.e., 21. To apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Puerto Rico, you must be a legal resident of Puerto Rico. However, out-of-state medical cards are accepted, so if you’re traveling to Puerto Rico on holiday and are already a medical patient in another state, you can purchase them with your existing, valid medical card.

Qualifying Conditions For Puerto Rico Medical Marijuana Card

Patients with radical medical conditions are listed under the eligibility of consumption. Some of the qualifying health conditions for which the legal purchase is allowed are listed below:

Diseases

• Alzheimer’s
• AIDS
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Irritable Bowel Diseases
• Parkinson’s
• Peripheral neuropathies
• Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.), and more.

Disorders

• Anorexia,
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Autism
• Bipolar
• Insomnia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.

Other potential conditions

• Spinal cord injury
• Severe nausea, Seizures
• Migraine
• Chemotherapy treatment side-effects, etc.

Application Process

You must be a resident of Puerto Rico or a registered patient in Puerto Rican dispensaries in other states where weed is legal.

1. Apply to the Puerto Rican medical Cannabis Program via the official Website
2. Medical Recommendation – Visiting a licensed physician or an authorized doctor will be sent through the portal. This can be done both in-person and online.
3. Verification – After proper verification of the prescription and diagnosis, a medical card for eligibility will be provided by the website.

Caregiving

Under Puerto Rico Law, employers may not discriminate against registered and authorized patients of medical cannabis in the recruitment, hiring, designation, or termination process or when imposing disciplinary actions. The only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy or another legally designated space to buy cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can do so.

Reciprocity

Puerto Rico allows dispensaries to serve patients with medical cards from their home state or other countries. A Puerto Rico medical marijuana card is valid in some U.S. states and territories with medical marijuana reciprocity. The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.