Puerto Rico lawmakers hear mixed reactions to bill creating cannabis research program at UPR–Utuado

SAN JUAN — The Puerto Rico House of Representatives Commission on Education on March 11 heard testimony on House Bill 177, a proposal to require the University of Puerto Rico’s Utuado campus to establish an academic program focused on agricultural research, seed handling and cultivation techniques for medical cannabis.

The measure drew qualified support from the Department of Health and the territory’s cannabis regulatory board, but the rector of the UPR Utuado said the campus cannot back the bill now because of unresolved budget, federal‑law and infrastructure questions. Mental‑health and addiction officials endorsed more research while urging strong safeguards.

Dr. Luis A. Tapia Maldonado, rector of the University of Puerto Rico, Utuado, told the panel that creating a new academic program is a faculty‑driven process under UPR rules and would trigger additional approvals and licensure steps. Tapia said the campus lacks the money and staff to implement the proposal and warned of federal conflicts tied to the Controlled Substances Act. Tapia said, “no tenemos presupuesto” and added, “por lo tanto, previo a la aprobación del proyecto de la cámara uno setenta y siete, se recomienda evaluar e identificar los recursos, fondos y manera en que podrá sufragar la implementación del programa académico.”

Marjorie Tolentino, executive director of the Junta Reglamentadora de Cannabis Medicinal, said the regulatory board supports the bill in concept and can help design curriculum…