Vantage Point Global has officially opened Costa Rica’s first manufacturing laboratory for medicinal cannabis products, located in El Guarco, Cartago. The landmark facility marks a major shift for the country, moving from raw material exports to full-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Expanding Beyond Raw Materials
The new facility allows the company to complete the entire production cycle domestically—from high-standard cultivation to processing and final pharmaceutical packaging.
The lab will manufacture a wide range of finished Cannabis sativa products, including:
- Concentrates and oils
- Medicinal syrups
- Oral tablets and pills
These products are designated for both local distribution and export to major European markets, including Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Economic Impact and Job Growth
The facility in Cartago is set to become a primary economic driver for the region. While current operations employ 85 workers in its initial production phase, Vantage Point Global projects hiring up to 420 local employees as additional operational areas expand.
This growth will span across cultivation, laboratory operations, and pharmaceutical distribution networks.
Overcoming Regulatory Hurdles
Despite the milestone, project leaders and public officials highlighted significant regulatory challenges delaying the domestic market. While Costa Rica passed Law N°10.113 four years ago to govern medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp, legislative gaps currently permit product registration for export but continue to restrict sales within national borders.
“What we are witnessing today is a miracle in Costa Rica. Despite our slowness in making a law passed four years ago work, this company has maintained its commitment to stay.”
— Stephan Brunner, Deputy and Former Vice President of Costa Rica
A Proven Export Track Record
The laboratory opening builds upon the company’s recent achievement under its registered brand, Hybrida Farm, which executed Costa Rica’s very first shipment of medicinal cannabis to Europe on March 13. That shipment met all European Union regulatory standards, proving the country’s technical capacity to meet strict global market demands.
