The Ministry of Agriculture granted the state-owned Universidad Nacional (UNA), located in Heredia Province, authorization to import hemp seed from Canada to grow and develop research on the plant.

Hemp is a versatile plant that has been cultivated for thousands of years for various purposes, including fiber, seeds, and oil. It belongs to the Cannabis sativa species but contains only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana. 

According to the statement released by the ministry, it has been officially announced that this particular university has been granted permission to carry out the cultivation of hemp plants to conduct a comprehensive study on their growth patterns and properties.

This marks a significant milestone for the university as it becomes the first institution to receive such approval from the concerned authorities.

The project is a part of the University's School of Agricultural Sciences' Agrifood Quality and Innovation Program.

Recently, two private companies were authorized in Costa Rica to manufacture products, such as food and cosmetics, derived from hemp.

In May, a private firm was the first company in Costa Rica authorized to grow and process marijuana for cannabis production.

Last year, the government legalized medicinal and therapeutic cannabis and hemp for food and industrial use.

However, recreational use, self-cultivation and self-consumption of the cannabis plant are still illegal in Costa Rica.

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