US territory of Puerto Rico and cannabis

As part of the USA, it is a popular tourist destination, but what about cannabis consumption there?

Over 5 million people travel to Puerto Rico every year, the US island region is popular with tourists. Beaches, outdoor adventures, good food and sun are always a popular draw and are considered a safe and easy travel destination. Millions of Americans have visited, but what about the US territory of Puerto Rico and cannabis as the US embraces marijuana?

As a result of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States. In 1898, the United States waged war with Spain and invaded their colony of Puerto Rico on July 25, 1898. It was under Spanish rule for over 400 years. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, in which Spain ceded Puerto Rico, along with other territories such as Guam, to the United States. After the war, Puerto Rico was under direct US military rule for about two years. In 1900, the U.S. Congress passed the Foraker Act, which established a civil government for Puerto Rico and officially declared it an “unincorporated territory” of the United States. It has some US advantages, but no formal voice in Congress.

The locals don't mind having fun, Puerto Rico's national drink is Pina Coloda. Made with local rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice. So that everyone can enjoy it, it is often prepared without rum. Additionally, 85% of the population identifies as Catholic, a faith that doesn't mind a little wine.

Like the mainland United States, Puerto Rico enacted a cannabis prohibition law in 1932, making the cultivation, importation, purchase, and sale of marijuana illegal. The ban remained in effect for decades, and attempts at decriminalization failed to gain traction. In 2013, a proposal to decriminalize cannabis faced significant public opposition: 70% of respondents opposed the proposal.

A major shift came in 2015 when Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla signed an executive order allowing the use of medical cannabis. This was followed in 2017 by the passage of Law 42-2017, which officially legalized cannabis for medical purposes in Puerto Rico.The medical cannabis program established regulations for:

• Licensing of pharmacies, farmers, processors and supervisors
• Safety protocols including product testing and labeling requirements
• Taxing cannabis sales to fund social programs and educational initiatives

While smoking cannabis remains prohibited, other forms of consumption are permitted for recognized medical conditions. Recreational use of cannabis remains illegal in Puerto Rico. Possession is considered a crime and carries some type of punishment.

However, in 2015, the governor recommended that judges not jail defendants if they were caught with less than 6 grams of cannabis, suggesting some leniency for small amounts. Despite its illegal status, marijuana remains one of the most commonly abused illegal drugs in Puerto Rico