Puerto Rico Cannabis Laws

Is cannabis legal in Puerto Rico?

The US territory of Puerto Rico has legalized medical cannabis and has established a medical marijuana program. Adult use is otherwise illegal for those without a medical card. You must be aged 21 or over in order to qualify for an adult medical marijuana ID card in the territory of PR. Those under this age can qualify as minors if they have a caregiver and have medical cannabis recommendations from two physicians.

What are the medical marijuana laws in Puerto Rico?

Medical cannabis laws in Puerto Rico

2015

Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla signed an Executive Order – Act No. 42 – permitting the use of medical cannabis.

2021

The Medicinal Cannabis Act is expanded, adding in greater legal and employment protections for medical cannabis users.

Recreational cannabis laws in Puerto Rico

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Puerto Rico.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Puerto Rico?

The Puerto Rico law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

• Any chronic condition or symptom
• AIDS/HIV
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Chemotherapy Side-Effects
• Chronic Pain
• Coeliac Disease
• Crohn’s Disease
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Irritable Bowel Diseases (IBS)
• Migraine
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Radiation Therapy Side-Effects
• Severe Nausea
• Seizures

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in Puerto Rico?

Leafwell is open in Puerto Rico. To get certified, you’ll need to:

1. Register with Leafwell and receive your approval
2. Receive your approval and apply to the Puerto Rico medicinal cannabis program via the Medical Cannabis Licensing website
3. Download your card and start purchasing medical cannabis

You must be a resident of Puerto Rico in order to qualify for medical cannabis in the territory. You must be aged 21 or over to qualify for medical cannabis as an adult. Those under the age of 21 can qualify as minors (unless legally emancipated) and must have two physicians’ recommendations for medical marijuana.

Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in Puerto Rico?

Yes, telemedicine is legal in Puerto Rico and you can get certified for cannabis online.

How much cannabis can I possess in Puerto Rico with an MMJ Card?

Registered patients in Puerto Rico are allowed a daily amount of 1 ounce (28 grams) of flower or 8 grams of THC in concentrate or edible form. They can possess up to 30 days’ worth at a time.

Is it legal to grow cannabis in Puerto Rico?

It is not legal to cultivate cannabis in Puerto Rico.

Does Puerto Rico accept out-of-state cards?

Puerto Rico recognizes other states’ and US territories’ medical marijuana cards, and this means that the territory has medical marijuana reciprocity. However, only those aged 21 or over qualify for reciprocity. Those who are adult medical marijuana patients from another US state or territory but are under 21 do not necessarily benefit from reciprocity unless they are legally emancipated in their state of residence.

Will my Puerto Rico card be accepted in other states?

A Puerto Rico medical marijuana card is valid in some US 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
• US Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is fine) – just that you are protected by the state’s medical marijuana laws to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and you intend on purchasing medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also beholden to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing a visiting patient application to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

• Arkansas
• California
• Hawaii
• West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis card holders in Puerto Rico?

Under Puerto Rico Law 15-2021, 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.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in Puerto Rico?

Medical cannabis in Puerto Rico must be tested for cannabinoid and terpene content, water content or moisture, microbes, including yeast, fungus, mold, Salmonella, and E. coli; foreign materials, including hair, insects, and feces; residual pesticides and solvents; and heavy metals.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in Puerto Rico?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy, or another legally designated space to purchase cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can actually do so.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in Puerto Rico?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. 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 any other such healthcare space is also illegal. Private members club and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense and generally keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet consumption methods wherever possible.