Abelino Esquivel, a legislator from the Evangelical party Costa Rican Renovation, keeps the bill that seeks to authorize the medicinal use of marijuana in the country blocked with over 500 motions.
The initiative, which already has two years in the legislative process, was convened by the Executive to the extraordinary sessions of the Congress, but faces 585 amendments, most of which were presented by Esquivel.
However, lawmakers from the Committee on Legal Affairs, acknowledged on Tuesday that they are studying mechanisms to break the blockade and allow it to progress.
Esquivel, who fiercely opposes the initiative, reiterated that he will maintain the motions because he believes that allowing the medicinal use of marijuana is “a danger to the country.”
The proponent of the initiative, legislator Marvin Atencio, from the Citizen Action Party (PAC), said that the amendments issued by Esquivel are baseless and that they are to vote against them during the extraordinary sessions.
The project, which is processed under the record 19,256, would also authorize the State to receive funding for the marketing of medicinal products derived from marijuana.
Esquivel recently said he was willing to talk with other congressmen, but that no agreement was reached because they only wanted him to withdraw the motions.
The legislator reiterated that he opposes the bill because if the medicinal use of marijuana is legalized, the next step would be to allow its marketing for recreational purposes.
However, Succar Jiménez, who is in favor of the initiative, said the medicinal use of marijuana is necessary in Costa Rica. He and Atencio stated that the project is not dead, despite the difficulties it faces, and that they hope to see its approval next year.