Puerto Rico cannabis history
Reviewed
The health department publishes Ley Núm. 42 of July 9, 2017, as amended. Its statement of motives says the only permitted uses are medicinal and scientific. Article 9 says a person who uses cannabis for recreational purposes will be sanctioned under the controlled-substances law.
This is a short history, not legal advice. The rules that apply today are on the Puerto Rico cannabis laws page. A date is included only when the linked page states it.
At a glance
July 9, 2017The file title is Ley Núm. 42 de 9 de julio de 2017, según enmendada.
Article 9Medicinal cannabis in that article is limited to authorized medical use.
Ley 42
- The department PDF is the amended text used here. An earlier executive order was not the document that was quoted.
Sources
Citations were checked against the linked pages on October 24, 2026. Claims without a statute, election result, regulator page, court opinion, or news report were left out.