What’s up with weed? New Growth Industries Minister says Belize is getting left behind

 Marijuana remains an illegal substance in Belize, despite the decision to decriminalise small quantities of it by the Barrow administration. The Briceño Government had full legalisation on its agenda, but that plan has been placed on hold because of a referendum, which the religious community has successfully advocated for. Minister of New Growth Industries, Kareem Musa says that because countries around the region are taking steps to legalise the substance, Belize is quickly losing its advantage to use the substance for great economic benefits. Here’s how he explained it. 

Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries: “I saw Costa Rica this week passing adult use legislation. I saw the British Virgin Islands passing legislation. We’re getting left behind certainly and the more countries around us that go in that particular direction I personally think once Mexico goes fully legal then Belize would be in a huge problem at that point. We’re already importing illegally from Mexico but at that point once they’re legal you can expect and even larger amount of illegal cannabis not knowing what it is that we’re importing coming into the country and so it’s unfortunate but I could see where that window is closing. It would still be a good move in my opinion for us to have the referendum this year but that is a decision that Cabinet would have to make. As you know it’s a very costly venture but again that’s something we’re committed to taking it to referendum before legalizing.”