Puerto Rico Faces $53 Million Revenue Loss If Medical Cannabis Access Is Restricted

Puerto Rico's Legislative Assembly Budget Office has calculated that restricting medical cannabis access could result in annual revenue losses of up to $53 million under the most severe scenario. The projection assumes a substantial reduction in eligible program participants, reflecting the current program's significant contribution to the territory's tax revenue. This fiscal analysis highlights the economic stakes as policymakers weigh potential regulatory changes against cannabis's role in providing therapeutic options for patients with chronic conditions including chronic pain, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. The findings underscore the tension between public health policy considerations and fiscal sustainability in Puerto Rico's medical cannabis framework.