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Coming soon! Stay tuned.

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been hearing rumors....

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Probably just the politicians trying to drum up more votes.

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I feel like the US in going to put some serious pressure on Belize to make sure that doesn't happen...

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It would bring in lots of tourists. Sounds like a good blog post.

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The pols are on board and paperwork is in and all agree its the right way to go, but GOB is waiting for us to make the first move and are looking towards the media and citizens to start the discussion. None of the pols want to be the one to introduce decriminalization and have to deal with the church again, ala the UNIBAM suit against GOB. So, start talking about it on the radio, tv and newspapers and start a groundswell of support for this amendment. Your govt is listening and ready to move.


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My vote is absolutely, unequivocally NO.

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And I don't want the tourist trade that would come solely because they can fire up a doobie.

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We already have them.....

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I don't want to scare away tourist because of a zero tolerance.
Its everywhere and done by thousands.
The laws are much to harsh for something so harmless but totally unregulated would cause problems from the US for sure.
Some middle ground could keep Hillary from screwing with us.


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What is the difference between "decriminalize" and "legalize"?

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it's a difference between a ticket and 5 years in Hattiville!


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to do be or not to do be! grin


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Originally Posted by papashine
to do be or not to do be! grin


Old Blue Eyes! exchanging glances. Strangers in the night.
name that tune

Last edited by champion; 12/07/11 03:50 PM.

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It's not the legalization of marijuana, rather, the decriminalizatoin of it. It would still be illegal, like parking in the red zone or driving without a license (or a 17 year old drinking a beer here). If you get caught with less than 7 grams, you get it taken away from you and a fine.

It's a shame the US would be upset when they consume the most illicit drugs in the WORLD (overall volume and per capita).

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Thanks for the definitions - back to grey areas again.

I think I know of lot of people that are going to be dropping off their basic credit card info with direct debits at the government cashiers office!

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I understand that there is a petition you can sign, but no-one can remember where it's at !


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Amanda, it will be decrimilized for small amounts, I can't recall, but for personal use. Which it is now unofficially anyway. Remember when Top Cop Maureen (whats her last name) said that officers could use their descretion whether or not to arrest for two joints and under-about a yr ago? MX decriminalized everything-even lsd and heroin, in 2010. They just legalized gay marraige too. The only snag in the ointment is the procurement, which will be illegal. So its really just to unclog the court system and empty out some cells at Hattieville. Its more about efficiency and the medical use for people suffering from pain, nausea, low appetite, glaucoma, arthritis, scorpian bites and such and how its been used like that here for yrs. And assume an age limit as well, like liquor. We could use the $ from licencing and taxes. Whatever, its up to the public to say what they want.


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Originally Posted by papashine
I understand that there is a petition you can sign, but no-one can remember where it's at !

Your probly sitin on it.


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Ideas and Opinions - Decriminalize marijuana
For Amandala by Janus

I have written articles on this subject before, but now, I am doing so at the request of five of my associates, who have very strong views in favor of decriminalizing marijuana, which I share completely.

They don't smoke marijuana. I haven't asked them if they did in their youth but, I doubt it, because they are public men and, in Belize there are very few secrets. If they did, then they would be proof positive that the addictive power of the drug is very weak. In my own experience, I know of several individuals who had the habit when they were young and, are now models of respectability.

Before I go into the good reasons why we should decriminalize marijuana, I should like to remark that the case for doing so is much stronger than the one being pursued in the courts, by the homosexual community. You have seen the results of the Internet poll conducted by this newspaper. Participants in that poll are overwhelmingly against revoking the law against sexual acts between males, which are against the order of nature. That the act is unnatural is too obvious.

If it is not natural, it is unnatural. Simplistic, but true. Also, the act is not normal. Who determines normality? The society in which we live. I understand that in a province in Canada, they have decided by law that homosexuality is normal. They must be a very advanced and enlightened society. Also, decadent. Don't you agree that marijuana smokers have a better case for revoking the law making their choice to get high, a crime? It is neither unnatural nor abnormal.

The people who smoke marijuana love peace and quiet and, the association of others of like preference. The drug tranquilizes and does not move to violence. If you observe the Rastafarians, you will be able to judge the effects marijuana has on its regular users. We can fill our jails to overflowing with members of this sect because, they use it for a religious rite. Yet, the law makes them criminals.

If there was a public opinion poll, I believe it would be found that the same majority of citizens who support the law against homosexuality, would approve of decriminalizing marijuana use.
One of the things my associates decry is the incarceration of young users who are unable to pay the fines. If they were not criminals before, they are by the time they are released because, jail is not a reforming but, a criminalizing influence. A jail term also stigmatizes and kills hope, because it gives them a police record.

What we are proposing, is not that the whole law prohibiting the production, sale and use of marijuana be revoked, only a change in the law, to allow for the possession of a small quantity of the drug for personal use to be a misdemeanor. We recommend also, that minors have the option of performing community services instead of paying a fine.

I wish to remind my readers that the law prohibiting the use of marijuana (referred to in the law as "cannabis sativa L."), was conceived in discrimination against the East Indian element in our population by the British Administration. Our rulers and, respectable members of society smoked tobacco cigarettes and drank whiskey for their pleasure, while their indentured workers smoked the leaves of the ganja plant (which they probably brought with them from India) to make their lives bearable. It would be interesting to know what were the objects and reasons for the law. Perhaps, it was for the sake of public health, though little was known of the clinical effects of smoking marijuana. Now we know that smoking tobacco cigarettes can cause lung cancer and, that marijuana is neither hallucinogenic nor is it a stimulant. Also, to my knowledge no one has ever died as a result of smoking marijuana, nor are its users disposed to violence.

In a democratic country government complies with the expressed will of the majority. This, we can express in public opinions polls and the ballot paper and retain our anonymity, which is dear to the hearts of my fellow Belizeans. It is unusual for us to express our views on a matter of public policy, in a personal way, as my associates and I have decided to do.

We are Henry Young, businessman and a former Cabinet Minister; Compton Fairweather, electronics expert and receiver of the honor, Order of Belize; Orton Clarke, former Cabinet Secretary for two governments and former member of the Public Service Commission; Dr. Dennis Young, Ph.D. of Harvard University; Glen Stuart, businessman; and the writer of this column, Charles B. Hyde.

There are many other prominent citizens who are in favor of decriminalizing marijuana, amongst them Paul Rodriguez, former Mayor of Belize City and our first Ombudsman.

Amending the law which makes marijuana use a crime will keep over a hundred people out of jail, a saving in public expenditure of over 700,000 dollars. Those funds can be put to better use. Finally, it would make about 4,000 citizens, who have the marijuana habit, rest easy and sleep well, knowing that they are no longer criminals.

A government which serves the best interests of our country, would not hesitate to take action, if the case we have made is convincing.

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My Mother-in-Law's One High Day
By MARIE MYUNG-OK LEE
New York Times

WHEN my mother-in-law was in the final, harrowing throes of pancreatic cancer, she had only one good day, and that was the day she smoked pot.

So I was heartened when, at the end of last month, the governors of Washington and Rhode Island petitioned the Obama administration to classify marijuana as a drug that could be prescribed and distributed for medical use. While medical marijuana is legal in 16 states, it is still outlawed under federal law.

My husband and I often thought of recommending marijuana to his mother. She was always nauseated from the chemotherapy drugs and could barely eat for weeks. She existed in a Percocet and morphine haze, constantly fretting that the sedation kept her from saying all the things she wanted to say to us, but unable to face the pain without it. And this was a woman who had such a high tolerance for pain, coupled with a distaste for drugs, that she insisted her dentist not use Novocain and gave birth to her two children without anesthesia. But despite marijuana's power to relieve pain and nausea without loss of consciousness, we were afraid she would find even the suggestion of it scandalous. This was 1997, and my mother-in-law was a very proper, law-abiding woman, a graduate of Bryn Mawr College in the 1950s. She'd never even smoked a cigarette.

But then an older family friend who worked in an AIDS hospice came bearing what he said was very good quality marijuana. To our surprise, she said she'd consider it. My husband and I - though we knew nothing about marijuana paraphernalia - were dispatched to find a bong, as the friend suggested water-processing might make the smoking easier for her. We found ourselves in a head shop in one of the seedier neighborhoods in New Haven, where my husband went to graduate school, listening attentively to the clerk as he went over the finer points of bong taxonomy, finally just choosing one in her favorite color, lilac.

She had us take her out on the flagstone patio because she refused to smoke in her meticulously kept-up house. Then she looked about nervously, as if expecting the police to jump out of the bushes. She found it awkward and strange to smoke a bong, but after a few tries managed to get in two and a half hits.

And then she said she wanted to go out to eat.

For the past month, we'd been trying to get her to eat anything: fresh-squeezed carrot juice made in a special juicer, Korean rice gruel that I simmered for hours, soups, oatmeal, endless cans of Ensure. Sometimes she'd request some particular dish and we'd eagerly procure it, only to have her refuse it or fall back asleep before taking a bite. But this time she sat down at her favorite restaurant and ordered a gorgeous meal: whitefish poached with lemon, hot buttered rolls, salad - and ate every bite.

Then she wanted to go to Kimball's, a local ice cream place famous for cones topped with softball-size scoops. The family had been regular customers starting all the way back when my husband and his brother were children, but they hadn't been there since her illness. My husband and I shared a small cone, which we could not finish, and looked on in awe as my mother-in-law ordered a large and, queenishly spurning any requests for a taste, polished the whole thing off - cone and all - and declared herself satisfied.

We were of course raring to make the magic happen again, but it never did. The pot just frightened her too much. She was scared her friend would be arrested for interstate drug trafficking, that my husband and I would be mugged in New Haven; she was afraid she'd become addicted or (� la "Reefer Madness") go insane. It was difficult watching her reject something that had so clearly alleviated her nausea and pain and - let's admit it - lightened her mood in the face of the terrible fact that cancer had invaded nearly every essential organ. And it was even worse to watch her pumped, instead, full of narcotics that made her feel horrible. The Percocet gave her a painfully dry mouth, but even ice chips made her heave. We were reduced to swabbing her lips with little sponges dipped in water, and waiting out her agony.

My husband and I have dredged up the memory of that one good day many times since, how she smiled and joked, for the last time seeming a little like her old self.

After the funeral, saying goodbye to all the family and friends, supervising the removal of the hospital bed, bedpans and related paraphernalia, one of the last things my husband and I did, under the watchful eyes of the hospice nurse, was destroy her remaining Percocets. We opened the multiple bottles and knelt in front of the toilet to perform this secular water rite, wishing there had been other days, other ways, a softer way for her to leave us.

Marie Myung-Ok Lee, the author of the novel "Somebody's Daughter," teaches writing at Brown University.

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Police Minister wants to decriminalize marijuana

Marijuana may soon be decriminalized in Belize and the strict penalty for being found with even small amounts of the drug may be greatly mitigated.

Minister of Police and Public Safety, Doug Singh, told The Reporter that the initiative is coming from his ministry, which is being assisted by a few persons outside.

The Ministry is currently preparing a paper that will be presented to Cabinet, Singh explained.

He said that in the first instance, his ministry is looking at decriminalizing a small quantity, and if Cabinet approves, police will no longer charge persons, who are found with the decriminalized amount.

The exact amount has not been agreed on as yet, but Singh said that he is looking at decriminalizing between 5 to 7 grams.

Singh reminded, however, that there is a difference between decriminalization and legalization, as he explained that it will not be a free walk in the park for those who are caught with that amount.

Singh said that persons who are caught with the specific decriminalized amount will be given a ticket to pay a small fine, but there will be no locking down of persons caught with a small amount of marijuana.

The Police Minister also added that after a certain period of time, persons who are charged criminally for marijuana will have their record wiped clean.

It makes no sense, Singh said, for a young person who made the mistake of being caught with a small amount of marijuana to have to go through life with a criminal record.

Nevertheless, until Singh gets his way, the Laws of Belize continue to be very clear when it comes to marijuana possession or cultivation: Cannabis sativa L, the scientific name for marijuana, is an illegal drug.

It is a criminal offence, if it is found in your possession. And, for even a very minuscule amount, you will be arrested, taken to court and charged a hefty fine, which if not paid, could land you directly in a prison cell.

But even if you don't go to prison after you have been found guilty, it is very likely that you would have a criminal record, which will follow you for the rest of your life.

But criminal offence or not, there has always been a robust marijuana business in Belize.

The drug is produced both for local consumption and for export.

In the 1980s, High Times Magazine dubbed marijuana that was being exported to the United States as "Belizean Breeze," and in one of its issues, the magazine took issue with the then Manuel Esquivel government, because it had allowed the deadly herbicide, Paraquat, to be sprayed on Belize's marijuana plantations.

There have been many changes in the world as far as marijuana is concerned over the decades since the 1980s. Marijuana is now legal in several countries and in the United Sates of America, marijuana can legally be used for medical purposes in sixteen states.

So not only has marijuana gained ground legally in many places, but Hemp, the lower level of the said Cannabis Sativa L plant, has been recognized as the fastest growing biomass in the world, with China being a leading producer.

While all these changes are occurring in the wider world, Belize remains unchanged with its archaic marijuana drugs laws.

But, once the Minister of Police and Public Safety is able to convince the Cabinet of Prime Minister Dean Barrow that the move to decriminalize marijuana makes social sense, this gloomy picture may very well change.

That change would be welcome news to Mr. Charles Bartlett Hyde, a former Speaker of the House of Representative, and former Post Master General, who has written several articles in the Amandala newspaper, making compellingly persuasive arguments for decriminalizing marijuana.

Mr. Hyde told The Reporter that decriminalizing marijuana makes perfect sense.

"This is a good beginning," Hyde said.

Mr. Hyde explained that he believes marijuana should be decriminalized, because the people who smoke it are not violent and almost all of them are productive citizens in all classes of society. But they have one thing in common, they are law-breakers and criminals under the present laws.

The marijuana cultivation law which carries the same penalty as drug trafficking, a fine of $10,000 or three years imprisonment is draconian, Mr. Hyde said.

"The majority of people who smoke marijuana are doing it for recreational purposes and for relaxation," Mr. Hyde pointed out.

Mr. Hyde said that he applauds the Minister of Police for his initiative.

The Reporter


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75 Years of a Pointless, Disastrous War Against Marijuana
By Derek Rosenfeld, AlterNet

Posted on March 9, 2012, Printed on March 12, 2012
SOURCE

This year marks the 75th anniversary of federal marijuana prohibition in the United States. It only took 13 years for Americans to realize the futility of alcohol prohibition. Can you believe we've let 75 years of marijuana prohibition go by?

The marijuana plant has a long history of medical, religious and industrial uses dating back thousands of years. Yet few Americans had even heard of it when it was first federally prohibited in 1937. Today, it's the most widely used controlled substance in the U.S. and the world. More than 100 million Americans - about 42 percent of adults - admit to having tried it. The value of marijuana produced in the U.S. is estimated to be more than $35 billion, making it far and away the nation's largest cash crop. Despite its ubiquity, though, almost half of the roughly 1.7 million people arrested for drug law violations in the U.S. every year are arrested for nothing more than a low-level marijuana offense.

The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 was essentially the beginning of federal marijuana prohibition. It imposed an excise tax on anyone who commercially produced marijuana and required a tax stamp to prove they were a valid producer. Once the law passed and someone wanted to apply for the stamp, though, they had to demonstrate they were a commercial marijuana producer. If they had the marijuana to prove it, they must have grown it without having the stamp, thus incriminating them.

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A few states and localities passed some of the first laws against marijuana in the late 1800s, often with little public attention. Amidst a growing fear of drug use and criminality, several state governments petitioned the feds throughout the 1920s for a single act to unify laws and increase enforcement on narcotics. While drafting the Uniform Narcotic Drug Act, marijuana was included in its list of "habit-forming drugs" merely because it was previously listed as a narcotic in many state laws. The American Medical Association fought to keep marijuana available for medical purposes. But Harry Anslinger, who rose to power during alcohol prohibition as the assistant prohibition commissioner and first head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, made it his mission to impose harsh penalties for drug use and to criminalize a broad array of widely used substances.

In 1934, he started to publicly denounce marijuana as a serious threat to society. He created racist propaganda that associated blacks and Latinos with marijuana and blamed marijuana use for socially deviant behavior like murder and rape. In fact, "marijuana" was known to almost everyone as "cannabis" until Anslinger popularized the term common among Mexicans at this time. Anslinger also condemned jazz music - predominantly played by black entertainers - as Satan's music, and associated it with marijuana.

Coincidentally - or not - Anslinger launched his crusade only months after the repeal of alcohol Prohibition in December 1933. Anslinger saw tremendous political and economic opportunities in criminalizing marijuana; he could stigmatize Mexican migrant workers while eliminating hemp as a valuable resource, enabling his friend William Randolph Hearst to rule the paper industry.

The Marijuana Tax Act went pretty much unchallenged for 30 years until Timothy Leary was arrested for marijuana possession and his case was brought to the Supreme Court. In Leary v. United States (1969), the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Marijuana Tax Act was unconstitutional because it required self-incrimination, thus violating the Fifth Amendment. This decision helped prompt a congressional review of national drug policy and led to the dreadfully flawed Controlled Substances Act of 1970 and President Nixon's declaration of a war on drugs in 1971.

Law enforcement's overwhelming focus on marijuana arrests plays out in all kinds of sickening ways that are difficult to quantify. One recent example is Ramarley Graham, the 18-year-old who was chased into his home and fatally shot by police officers as he tried to flush a small amount of marijuana down the toilet. Every day thousands of young people in communities of color are subjected to invasive stop-and-frisks - ostensibly intended to remove weapons from our streets, but much more often resulting in low-level marijuana arrests. Thanks to policies like these, there are more black people under correctional supervision today than were enslaved in 1850 - and millions more are saddled with criminal records that relegate them to lifelong status as second-class citizens.

Perhaps the most peculiar hypocrisy of all this is that the federal government regularly supplies a handful of patients with marijuana produced by the National Institute on Drug Abuse - while telling the rest of the world there's no such thing as medical marijuana. Starting in the 1970s, the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program supplied medical marijuana to seriously ill patients until it stopped taking new applicants in 1992 and the few people in the program at that time were grandfathered in. Today, the DEA raids medical marijuana dispensaries operating legally under state law on a near-daily basis and our drug czar is statutorily required to oppose any efforts to change the legal status of marijuana or other illegal drugs, effectively impeding and undermining state and local governments willing to try a new approach to sensibly regulating marijuana.

While states and localities were responsible for initiating marijuana prohibition, today they are vital to repealing it. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have passed medical marijuana laws, while voters in Colorado and Washington will decide this November whether to regulate marijuana like alcohol. Let's make this 75th anniversary the beginning of the end of marijuana prohibition.

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Originally Posted by Amanda Syme
My vote is absolutely, unequivocally NO.


I AGREE!


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Simply my personal experience and thoughts.....Hope this does not make you mad at me!

Currently living in Northern California on a lake near a park. Very upscale homes; everyday I have to chase off a bunch of pot smokers. The smell lofts through my open windows as I simply want the lake breezes....The RAP music blasts at top volume because they are too numb and dumb to hear....I call the police who tell me they can't do anything....I call the Feds and they come.....Yes, maybe medically, discreetly, privately between the patient and the doctor.....However, I would hate to see the same economic and cognitive destruction I have seen in California happen to the pleasant people of Belize. We don't see other people with medical ailments hanging out in groups taking their medication in public.


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If Belize changed the law and decriminalized marijuana the US would be getting involved in changing it back!
Belize would have to be ready to 'Just Say No'to the US enticements/extortion to get Belize law changed back.
Like it or not the US influence is so strong that in order for Belize to have decriminalized pot the US would have to do it first.


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I think we're back to "don't ask don't tell" on this one.

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Elbert: If I agreed with you, we both would be wrong. The US could care less about consumption of drugs outside the US. Their focus is on the transport of drugs to the US. As long as Belize keeps up its feeble efforts to do that, the US will continue to provide aid no matter how many joints don't get people arrested in Belize.

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JudyA, don't you know that Northern California is often referred to as the "Emerald Triangle?" Yes, we have had "economic destruction" here due to the world wide recession, but "cognitive destruction" might be over exaggerating.

I say they decriminalize it and tax it. Bet it would bring in a lot of revenue.

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That's funny....No, I had not heard the Emerald Triangle Term...Sadly we have first hand experience in witnessing the Cognitive Destruction. Our business in California employs skilled labor in the Construction Industry.....Even in this high unemployment environment it's challenging to find skilled labor. Nearly 2 out of every 3 people we hire do not show up when we ask them to complete the drug screening. This is after several interviews through the process. We have lots of sad stories to include a staff member who started using POT after 6 years with us.....His labor skills declined and he became a danger when using power tools, in addition he suddenly could not think straight and had incredibly volatile mood swings. During a meeting he stated he 'preferred smoke over work'....That was his last day.....So sad to see and hear....Not to worry he collected unemployment on our dime for 24 months and now has filed for State disability.......I can't help but think if he had never started using drugs maybe he would still be working here.......We'll have to see how it plays out....


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Guat President Proposes Drug Decriminalization At Summit; Belize Says...?

Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington has returned from Central American Drug Summit which was held in Antigua, Guatemala.

The meeting is making world news tonight because Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina proposed legalizing and regulating drug and the drug trade.

His proposal would see the regulation of the trans-shipment of drugs - creating a regional corridor for the transport of drugs and establishing border controls for the proper registry of the movement of drugs.

He also proposes the legalization of the consumption of drugs with all necessary.

And while it may seem radical, proponents argue that it is the only rational response to curtail illicit trafficking activity which has taken over a portion of Guatemala's north-eastern Peten and has taken thousands of lives throughout Mexico.

So what position did Belize's Foreign Minster take? We discussed that with him today at his Belize City Office:

Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Yeah, it was a somewhat surprising to think that the newly elected president of Guatemala would have brought it on so quickly. I don't think anybody expected that. The United States regards the whole question of drug trafficking as a national security treat, a treat to their national security, and that no useful discussion could really be taken by the countries of the region, on this subject without the presence of the United States."

Jules Vasquez
"Might we not say that President Molina was bold and perhaps prescient in his thinking and that those among the group how were caution are simply kowtowing to the United States?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"President Otto Perez Molina was bold. In terms of prescient I don't necessarily agree with you, that's because it is my own view that happens around the world, that really and truly, it is really these super powers that set the agenda and the pace for the rest of the world. So if they see this as a national security treat, and they genuinely believe that, nothing that we do in this region outside of the collaboration with them, stands any chance of succeeding because they are so powerful and so dominant. Therefore, if we are thinking so seriously about solving the problem, the solution will have to be, to my mind, one which is arrived at in collaboration with them."

Jules Vasquez
"Would you say the proposal has picked up traction or that it has not?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"I don't think that it is a proposal that can rarely gain traction, in the absence of the United States being around the table, because as I'm saying we are peripheral actors, we are not principal actors. This is a major issue that concerns the security interest of the super power in the world, not only the region but the world. And how can you discuss a matter that affects the national security interest of the world's super power, without having that super power at the table?"

Jules Vasquez
"Yes, but we are not slave states. The super power is bankrupt and ineffective in its effort to try and stem either the demand for drugs or effectively reduce the supply."

Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"I never agree with the view that the super power is ineffective and bankrupt."

Jules Vasquez
"Well, we will have to judge by the results, Minister"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"I will never ever make that statement and concur with that statement at all."

Officially, the meeting failed to arrive at a consensus. Notably, the Presidents of Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua did not attend. Only Panama's President, Ricardo Martinelli and Costa Rica's President Laura Chinchilla attended.

The so-called "northern triangle" of the Central American isthmus, comprising, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras form what is considered the most violent region on earth.

And so, the subject of drug decriminalization isn't going away, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has put it on the agenda for discussion at next month's Summit of the Americas.

Channel 7


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Guatemala President proposes to legalize drugs and shipment route

Otto Perez Molina

With escalating violence in the region, decriminalizing the transportation of drugs heading to the US has become a hot topic. The idea was first broached by the Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina. He has been lobbying for support because he believes that in the war on drugs, US assistance has not reduced the drug trade or trafficking. As we reported, last week Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington and Minister of National Security John Saldivar attended a meeting in Antigua, Guatemala. Elrington explains that the president of Costa Rica wants the region to be paid for the confiscation of drugs. But is Perez Molina's proposal gaining ground? Elrington says Perez Molina's plan has four proposals.

 

Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington

"These proposals dealt essentially with the issue of the decriminalizing drug trafficking. The meeting was preceded by discussions or papers dealing with drug trafficking and the decriminalization thereof and these papers were presented by an ex-President of Colombia and an ex-Secretary General of the OAS, Mister Cesar Gavira. Another was from PAHO, an expert and another from the Carter Center. And all these people spoke on the issue of the decriminalization on the consumption of drugs-not necessarily drug trafficking but the consumption. President Perez Molina then presented four proposal and these proposals related to one; a frontal attack on trafficking as is being done in Mexico, two; the creation of a regional court with regional jurisdiction to deal with high profile crimes in the region such as narco-trafficking, money laundering, trafficking in weapons; three, the issue of the decriminalization and regulation of the transshipment of drugs. This entails designing and creating a corridor for the transport of drugs and establishing border controls for the proper registry for the movement of drugs, creating a regional agency for the control and management and the shipment of drugs. And four, the issue of the legalization of the consumption of drugs with all necessary legislation put into place; taking into consideration the production, consumption and transshipment. A supervising agency will be created to oversee all logistics. So it is really major matters he wanted to discuss. President Chinchilla of Costa Rica, who was present, proposed that United States and major drug consuming nations be asked to pay the region a certain quota for every kilo of drugs confiscated as a direct contribution to the fight. As I indicated to you earlier, we had certainly made the observation that it's drug trafficking and it is really seen as a national security interest for the United States so that they would not be in favor of these proposals and we did not think that in fact any fruitful discussion of these issues could take place in the absence of a representative from the United States."

Channel 5


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Foreign Minister says U.S. must have a say in drug situation

Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington

Elrington says that the discussion caught most country representatives off-guard and that the situation was somewhat confusing as some representatives thought it might have been a Central American Integration System (SICA) meeting. But how does Belize fit in? Elrington's response was that the meeting should not be held without the United States which considers drug trafficking as a national security issue.

 

Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs

"Really and truly there was some confusion. It seemed to have been an initiative on the part of the Guatemalan president, Otto Perez Molina. It was an idea that he had to discuss the question of the decriminalization of drug trafficking and drug consumption it seems in the region. This was an unusual type of meeting because we hadn't gotten any advance information as to precisely what would have been discussed. It was not until we got there and the meeting started that he articulated the four points that he had in mind-matters involving drug trafficking and the like. and the use to which the resources that would be put from the proceeds of regulated sales of drugs; it seems to me."

 

Jose Sanchez

"Why would we need a court if it would be decriminalized? What was your impression, what was your reaction to hearing the proposal?"

 

Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington

"I think most people were a little surprised and taken a back. It really should have been; it was not clear. Normally when we meet, we meet as a SICA group and a SICA meeting. The Secretary General of SICA who was present declared almost when he got up to speak that it really wasn't a SICA meeting also. The Nicaraguan Representative who was there, I think he was a vice-minister, he wanted to know what really was it-what kind of meeting it was. But we did not articulate that publically. So it was a little confusing. It was intended to be a summit of all the presidents and Prime Ministers of the SICA region, [but] it turned out that only the Panamanian president and the Costa Rican president turned up along with the Guatemalan president."

 

Jose Sanchez

"Did anyone agree with Guatemalan President?"

 

Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington

"No. actually as I said, it took most people by surprise and people expressed views on the matter. When it was our turn to speak on it, I said that the trafficking of drugs in this region, as far as we are aware, is regarded as a national security interest for the United States and that the United States would see it as inimical to their interest to have any of the counties in this region think about decriminalizing drug trafficking and the use of drugs. And given their power and dominance in the region, it would not be helpful for us in the region to be discussing it without in fact the presence of the United States. You can't realistically discuss it and expect to come to any conclusion if in fact you did not have the United States at the table because of course they control what happens in the region."

 

Jose Sanchez

"But what would be our country's viewpoint? To me it sounds like something that would go against our constitution, our justice system would consider to be criminal."

 

Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington

"This as I said, we did not get any brief from the Guatemalan or SICA as to precisely what they would have been discussing. And it is not a matter that the Belize government has discussed and taken a position on. I do know that late last year, Minister Singh had raised the thought of certainly not prosecuting people found with small quantities and there are some countries in the world that in fact allow the sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes."

 

Aside from Guatemala and Costa Rica, the only other president present was from Panama.

Channel 5


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U.S. Under Secretary responds to Guatemala Drug Proposal

The Under Secretary of State Maria Otero is the highest ranking U.S. diplomat to visit Belize in recent times. Otero is responsible for foreign relations on civilian security issues; including democracy, human rights, trafficking in persons and counter-narcotics. Since Otero arrived on Wednesday, she has been meeting with Non-governmental organizations and government officials to discuss a myriad of issues. Earlier today, News Five asked Otero what were her impressions of Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina's regional meeting with leaders during which he sought to decriminalize drug consumption and establish a legal route for narco-trafficking.

 

Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State

Maria Otero

"Our sense of that meeting and certainly our own position which continues to be the position that we have held; is a position that does not believe that decriminalizing drugs is the proper approach to dealing with it. This is the position the United States has held and will continue to hold. We don't believe that that is really the way to be able to address this issue. We note also that the countries in Central America agreed with that decision-they also questioned whether decriminalizing is the approach that we can take to this issue. Clearly as we are trying to address the threat that drug trafficking presents for the societies in Central America and certainly globally, we look at the role they are playing; it's useful to have a debate, a discussion, on all possible alternatives for dealing with the issue. So certainly being able to discuss this topic is something that we welcome, but our position continues to be the one that we have held since the beginning. My visit represents the priority that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have for our bilateral relationship and partnership with Belize. Suring my visit I have had the opportunity to meet leaders, officials, to reaffirm our close partnership with the Belizean people. I have been impressed by the caliber of so many of your dedicated public officials working hard in ministries, hand in hand with the members of civil society to tackle some of the most difficult challenges facing Belize today-from corruption and gang violence to creating economic opportunity for all the members of the Belizean society. The United States is pleased that Prime Minister Barrow ahs prioritized these issues for the second term of his administration and we look forward to working together to tackles these complex challenges with concrete advancement and resource. Our nations share common aspirations and common challenges including transnational organized crime, drug trafficking."

Channel 5


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POLL: Should the government legalize marijuana in Belize?
Please visit the site to participate in this poll.


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Sedi second take on decriminalizing transportation of drugs

A regional security conference was held recently in Antigua, Guatemala. It was widely reported in the international press because the president of Guatemala is proposing to decriminalize the transportation of drugs through Central America. It is part of an unusual plan to combat the large scale escalation of violence that has resulted from drug trafficking. Wilfred Elrington, the foreign Minister, who was at the conference, has already made initial statements on the topic. He wants the US and the UK involved in the debate but today he says that he is more concerned about health than on the criminality of the issue.

Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington

"The country of Belize has basically taken the position as articulated by the British, the Americans and all our major allies that this is an issue that is inimical to a national security interest and that in fact we should treat it as criminal offense and that is the position which we have taken all along. There have been individuals who have had different positions. I personally have long thought that really it's a health issue, not so much a criminal issue. 01:08:48 I know people who smoke marijuana every day of their lives who are smarter than I am, who are more competent than I am, who physically seem to be better equipped than I am. I don't see any harm being done to them at all, at all, at all and they don't behave bad in any way."

Marleni Cuellar

Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington

"Do you feel that it should be decriminalized?"

Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington

"I think we should engage in the debate. I certainly don't think that persons who are found with a little bit of marijuana should be incarcerated. I don't think so at all. I don't think you’re helping them, as a matter of fact I think you’re harming the society. A little man who you find with one stick of marijuana, you will lock up. You leave a wife there, you leave five kids there, and nobody to provide for them. How can that make sense? Who is he harming by having a little stick of marijuana? Especially in a place like Belize. I think we have to think these things through. Now I could be wholly wrong but that is my view. The important thing is though I think that we in Belize should start the debate and I think that's the point that the Guatemalan president was making. We in Central America need to start the debate because what is good for the United States isn't necessarily good for us. What the Belize position is as far as I know is that we are prepared to discuss these issues with the region and with a representative of the United States or the United Kingdom, the super power in the region because I believe that really and truly it is sterile to discuss it in their absence because in final analysis you will only move forward with their concurrence. And to be truthful, the position of Barrack Obama seems to be changing somewhat. He's no longer articulating the expression "war against drugs" and they are trying to move more towards the area of seeing it as a health problem."

And in respect of the slew of election petitions, Elrington says that it's a good move since voters need to think before they put their X on the ballot.

Channel 5


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Very few people are aware that in 2001 Portugal became the first country ever to decriminalize possession of all drugs for personal use, including Coke, Weed, Meth, Heroine etc

If caught with any drug instead of going to prison you are offered help and go before a panel however if you refuse you are not subject to any punishment.

The results of this was that Portugals drug use rate dropped as did HIV infections from shared needles however treatment doubled but that was free and provided by the money saved.

Portugals move to decriminalize all drugs has been considered a resounding success.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html

You cant argue with what has proven to work against the current situation which obviously is not working.

Gaz

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Very interesting Gaz.

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I agree. I'd like to think Portugal could be representative of the US but somehow...


I am really tripped out by the proposal to decrim drug transport (which I think is the big one here)...I think that is going to stir up a shitstorm for the foreign ministers of the countries even considering this. I am not saying the assessments of effectiveness are wrong but I dont think Uncle Sammy is going to be, or is, overly pleased with Guatemala at the moment, nor are they, or will they be with other countries that are awakening to the idea...

This is definitely one worth following.

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Fruit of the poisonous tree

Dear Editor,

"The legal doctrine of 'fruit of the poisonous tree' is fairly basic in its premise: if the information being used in a case was obtained through illegal means, then any other information gathered via that illegal action is also tainted by the poison from the initial illegal action."

Case in point-the laws against cannabis.

The very first item in making cannabis illegal is in the scheduling of cannabis as a Schedule One substance. As a Schedule One substance by definition it has no medical use and a high potential for abuse. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH, and most everybody, including most every politician, knows it.

I enter into evidence page 17 of the May 20, 2012 Amandala story, "Marijuana relieves muscles tightness, pain of multiple sclerosis: Study". This is just one of hundreds maybe even thousands of recent studies showing some of cannabis' therapeutic uses.

Cannabis has and still is planet earth's most widely used bush medicine for over 10,000 years in most every culture. When the truth is sought, even one of the USA's DEA's top administrative law judges, Francis Young, declared in a 1989 case in his finding of facts, "that marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man."

Maybe the laws remain because large pharmaceutical manufacturers donate millions of dollars into the USA's body politic. Why would they do that? Because cannabis has been so widely used for so many different ailments that it could safely replace such a wide variety of their products that they would lose billions of dollars annually, because you can grow it for free in your garden and they cannot patent it.

You want to reduce crime and the cost and manpower of the legal system. Get rid of the illegal draconian cannabis laws and you will have over 50,000 less criminals in Belize.

I rest my case, for now. In the future I will show that the cannabis laws violate every constitutionally guaranteed civil right of the Belize Constitution, which declares that it is the highest law of the land, and that any law which violates it is invalid.

What if all violent criminals were to turn themselves in to the authorities tomorrow? It would be a great day for Belize. What if all cannabis users were to turn themselves in to authorities tomorrow? Use your imagination.

William Conde

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In consultive process now and will see reaction from public here, not anywhere else, and move forward or not, depending on what the people want.


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Would you imagine that Belize would change as a result of decrim Katie? would this draw certain elements as far as tourism? Increase the likelihood of being approached on the beach or street? I'm curious.

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Wilfred Elrington seems to have his head screwed on good. Its a sad state of affairs that we can't ignore the US opinion and going against the US will have consequences.
I don't like the methods of the US intervention but they are a fact of life in a third world country.


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No, the possible change in the law here reflects what many other countries around the world are doing and for domestic purposes, not tourism, but the law is applied equally to everyone in Belize, citizen or visitor. The change is for possession of small amounts for personal use. The law will not change for trafficking at 59 grams or more or selling. The only change will be a civil fine, community service and/or education for personal possesion and the quantities agreed on (most countries are between 5-10 grams for personal use), what happens to repeat offenders, age limits, etc. This is all in the nascent discovery stages right now and a way to go before anything is presented to the public and Cabinet. As far as the US goes, state and federal laws there conflict; MX is one of many countries who legalized and the President of Guatemala recently offered his proposal for the region. Check how much aid the US gives to Belize; it ain't all that much, unless for drug and crime interdiction, which is in their best interest anyway. So we'll see. Its an interesting discussion for the people of Belize to decide


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I think the question of decriminalizing Marijuana in Belize should be addressed immediately after the criminalization of burglary, robbery and theft on AC...

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Legalize it; official initiative to discuss small quantities of weed
While the Police Department and the Belize Defence Force have been doing their part to collect and destroy marijuana plantations in the country, burning an entire field may not be the end to the problem. There is an initiative underway to possibly legalize it on the corner. It won't make you smarter as the popular song says, but the discussion is an intelligent one to curb a budding situation at the courthouse. A letter seeking input on the sensitive subject was sent to the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a copy was recently rolled over to News Five. It says that the Ministry of National Security has appointed a committee to evaluate the idea and make proposals on decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of Cannabis. What it means is that the penalties for marijuana possession will be altered so that (quote) "the offence will then be subject to regulation which will allow for the implementation of probationary measures. It is also proposed that no criminal record be kept in the first instance and portions of the penalty be reserved for drug education." (unquote) According to the letter, the current legislation treats anything over sixty grams of marijuana as drug trafficking and anything less as possession. A conviction for possession of cannabis is punishable by a fine of up to fifty thousand dollars and/or up to three years imprisonment. The proposal, therefore, would decriminalize the possession of up to ten grams of marijuana, and persons would instead be subject to mandatory drug education and no imprisonment. The reason behind the move, according to the letter, is because cases for possession of small amounts of marijuana have been cluttering the courts and prison. It says that having a permanent criminal record for the misdemeanor further disadvantages an already marginalized group of persons and establishes a barrier against meaningful employment. The decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana is also trending internationally for similar reasons.

Channel 5


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Totally agreed, but I think our government could go one step further by allowing permits for growth and distribution - make sure there is enough competition, so the market would not be "milked" by (semi) monopolist(s). That way marijuana can be taxed(!), and possibly exported(!) for medicinal use where permitted and the criminal element will be totally removed while illegal growth is discouraged.


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It is encouraging that a country as young as Belize is looking at this issue through realistic eyes. The US should be ignored; look what they have done with all of their wisdom in this area. The idea is constantly tossed around here in the US as well, but political pressure dictates, creating a no win situation on this subject here. Bravo Belize. Does anyone know if there are stats on the effects on tourism in other countries that have gone this route?


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Amsterdam

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Legalize It?

It got pretty rough in the House of Representative last week - when Prime Minister Dean Barrow accused former PM Said Musa of puffing some "sensae" in his cigar - after Musa proposed decriminalization of marijuana as a possible solution to excessive incarceration. But, apparently the PM was listening - or maybe the former PM knew his thoughts, because today it was announced that a committee has been appointed by the Minister of National Security to, quote, "evaluate and, if appropriate, make proposals for the decriminalization of the possession of small portions of Marijuana." The committee will be chaired by the former police Minister Douglas Singh. The release explains that the proposal is to decriminalize the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana which will then be subject to fines, mandatory drug education but no imprisonment.

This release adds that the idea comes from quote "increasing evidence that the current legislation clutters the courts and the prison with primarily a marginalized segment of our population."

It's a sensitive subject - and we stress it's just a proposal right now, and so all interested groups and individuals are invited to write to Chairman Singh at this email: [email protected].

If you wish to make a representation to the committee you can say so in your written response.

Channel 7


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Press Release - Belize Press Office

Decriminalization of Marijuana

Belmopan, 16th July, 2012. A committee has been appointed by the Minister of National Security to evaluate and, if appropriate, make proposals for the decriminalization of the possession of small portions of Cannabis Sativa (commonly known as Marijuana and Weed).

For the purpose of this exercise, the word decriminalization means that the treatment of the infraction will be adjusted so that most of the detriments are removed or reduced. The offence will then be subject to regulation which will allow for the implementation of probationary measures. It is also proposed that no criminal record be kept in the first instance and portions of the penalty be reserved for drug education.

The current legislation treats the possession of under 60 grams of marijuana as a criminal offence and is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to three years imprisonment. This proposal is to decriminalize the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana which will then be subject to fines, mandatory drug education and no imprisonment.

This initiative is driven by increasing evidence that the current legislation clutters the courts and the prison with primarily a marginalized segment of our population. The added impact of a permanent criminal record further disadvantages this already marginalized group as it establishes a barrier against meaningful employment. The committee wishes to emphasize that the proposal is not to legalize the offence thereby purging it of all its penalties; it is merely to reduce and regulate. This is further supported by international trends towards decriminalization.

The Committee recognizes that the instant proposal for the decriminalization of small quantities of Marijuana is a sensitive issue. All interested groups and individuals are hereby given an opportunity to express their views on the matter. The committee invites you to offer a position in writing by letter or email. Please direct such correspondence to:

Douglas Singh - Committee Chair
[email protected]
# 1 Mapp Street
Belize City, Belize

We would be grateful to receive your comments by Friday July 20. If you wish to make representation to the committee please indicate in your written response and we will be pleased to accommodate your request.

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US Drug War statistics and source.
40 years now, longest war in US history.

Cost, 1 Trillion, the left and right on the same page.

AP IMPACT: After 40 years, $1 trillion, US War on Drugs has failed to ...
www.foxnews.com/.../ap-impact-years-trillion-war-drugs-failed-meet...
13 May 2010 - MEXICO CITY - MEXICO CITY (AP) - After 40 years, the United States' war on drugs has cost $1 trillion and hundreds of thousands of lives, ...

The 40-Year War on Drugs - American Civil Liberties Union
www.aclu.org/.../40-year-war-drugs-its-not-fair-and-its-not-working
1 Jun 2011 - The 40-Year War on Drugs: It's Not Fair, and It's Not Working. ... declaration of a "war on drugs" - a war which has cost $1 trillion but produced ...


Interestingly, most of the heated diatribes about the evils of killer weed I have witnessed took place at a bar with the animated lecturer imbibing copious amounts of a "legal" drug.

Stats summary......
Death by Alcohol Vs. Weed, 23,199 to 0.

Total deaths Vs. deaths by other drugs, 2,436,652 to 37,485

Annual Causes of Death in the United States | Drug War Facts
http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Causes_of_Death

Cause of death1 Number

All causes 2,436,652

Cardiovascular diseases 779,367
Malignant neoplasms 568,668
Lack of Health Insurance3 44,789
Drug induced2 37,485
Suicide 36,547
Motor vehicle accidents 36,284
Septicemia (infections) 35,587
by Firearms 31,224
Accidental poisoning 30,504
Alcohol induced 23,199
Homicide 16,591
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 9,424
Viral hepatitis 7,652
Cannabis (Marijuana) 0




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I've proudly served on this committee since its inception and welcome comments or reply direct to the email we set up to voice support or concerns.


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I sent an email, as did a few other people I know. IMHO, a very sensible step to take.

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Legal Marijuana Debated as Belize Joins Regional Push on Drugs

Marijuana possession may be decriminalized in Belize as the Central American nation joins a list of countries from Mexico to Uruguay whose leaders have called for alternatives in the U.S.-led war on drugs.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow's government has appointed a committee to evaluate the decriminalization of up to 10 grams of marijuana, according to an e-mailed statement. Current legislation considers marijuana possession of less than 60 grams a criminal offense punishable by a fine up to $50,000 Belize dollars ($26,000) and as many as three years in prison, according to the statement.

"The word decriminalization means that the treatment of the infraction will be adjusted so that most of the detriments are removed or reduced," according to the statement. "This initiative is driven by increasing evidence that the current legislation clutters the courts and the prison with primarily a marginalized segment of our population."

Belize's move follows Uruguayan President Jos� M�jica's support for a plan last month to let the government sell marijuana, while Guatemalan President Otto P�rez Molina urged regional leaders to consider decriminalization to limit escalating drug violence in Central America. Enrique Pe�a Nieto, Mexico's recently elected president, said this month that he favors a legalization debate.

'BROAD DEBATE'

"I'm not saying we should legalize," Pe�a Nieto said in an interview on PBS NewsHour July 3. "But we should debate in Congress, in the hemisphere, and especially the U.S. should participate in this broad debate."

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who helped carry out a U.S.-led anti-narcotics strategy as his nation's defense chief until 2009, called for a legalization debate last year and likened the war on drugs to a stationary bike.

More than 47,000 people have died in drug-related violence in Mexico since President Felipe Calderón began an offensive against cartels in December 2006. Pe�a Nieto will succeed Calderón in December.

Drug cartels are among the biggest security threats facing Latin America and the Caribbean, General Douglas Fraser, the head of the U.S. Southern Command, said at an event in Miami today. Drug trafficking generates about $320 billion per year in profits, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said in a report this week.

"The committee wishes to emphasize that the proposal is not to legalize the offense thereby purging it of all its penalties; it is merely to reduce and regulate," the Belize government release said. "This is further supported by international trends toward decriminalization."

Belize said it is taking public comments on its proposal through July 20.

Related:
Portugal Decriminalized All Drugs Eleven Years Ago and the Results Are Staggering

Bloomberg News

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Belize moves to decriminalize marijuana

"...the proposal is not to legalize the offence, thereby purging it of all its penalties; it is merely to reduce and regulate." - ex-police minister, Doug Singh

The Barrow administration has appointed a committee to look into proposals for the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize. That committee, announced late this evening via a Government press release, is headed by Doug Singh, former Police Minister, who told Amandala this evening that they want to create a distinction between the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana by creating a special category of infractions for the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana-that is equivalent, said Singh, to about 10 sticks of weed.

Other members of the marijuana decimalization committee are Donelle Hawke and Rhea Rogers of the Ministry of National Security, C.B. Hyde, Susan Fuller, YaYa Marin-Coleman, Jeremy Spooner and Katie Valk, said ex-Minister Singh. He told us that two of the committee members are admitted marijuana users.

The committee wrote two weeks ago to about 16 entities, including the Bar Association of Belize, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Council of Churches, and gave them until Friday, July 13, to provide feedback-but none has to date, said Singh. He told us that the group will now be calling up these entities to request their positions on the decriminalization proposals.

The wider public, who are just being asked for comments this evening via the press release, will have the next four days to submit their feedback to the proposal. Their deadline is Friday, July 20.

"The Committee recognizes that the instant proposal for the decriminalization of small quantities of marijuana is a sensitive issue," said the Government release.

When we asked Singh why the short deadline for public feedback, he said that most people already know their positions on the matter and so he does not anticipate they would require much time to formulate their response. If the public feedback shows a sharp polarization in public opinion, he said, the committee would hold a public meeting to discuss the matter. It is possible for the decriminalization to take effect by the end of the year, Singh furthermore indicated.

The discussion has not touched on the use of marijuana for medical purposes, since that would open the debate to at least partially legalizing the drug, said Singh, in response to our query on this dimension of the debate.

He also indicated to us that consideration is being given to concerns over public smoking and smoking around children. The legislation would have to address smoking in public, and particularly around children, as well as possession in schools, he told us.

A press release issued by the Government this evening clarified that, "For the purpose of this exercise, the word decriminalization means that the treatment of the infraction will be adjusted so that most of the detriments are removed or reduced."

Pointing to international trends towards decriminalization, the release said probationary measures would be proposed as an alternative.

"It is also proposed that no criminal record be kept in the first instance and portions of the penalty be reserved for drug education," the release added.

Singh told us the National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) will be the likely entity to do the drug education program, and a portion of the fines levied for marijuana possession would be earmarked for that program.

The Government informs that "current legislation treats the possession of under 60 grams of marijuana as a criminal offence and is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to three years imprisonment."

It added that, "This proposal is to decriminalize the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana, which will then be subject to fines, mandatory drug education and no imprisonment."

During the national budget debate held in Parliament last week Wednesday, former Prime Minister Said Musa called out the authorities for "going after people for stick of weed...," but Prime Minister Dean Barrow took issue with him raising the decriminalization issue during the budget debate. "Are we going to get into debate on whether we should decriminalize marijuana?" Barrow retorted.

During the wrap-up of the debate Thursday night, Barrow again took aim at Musa, saying, "What was most instructive was his formula for solving the crime and violence problem in Belize; legalize marijuana; that is what the ex-prime minister came up with as his sole policy prescription for solving crime and violence. Legalize marijuana."

The press release issued this evening stated that, "The committee wishes to emphasize that the proposal is not to legalize the offence, thereby purging it of all its penalties; it is merely to reduce and regulate."

According to Singh, the marijuana decriminalization committee is about two months away from submitting its draft paper to Cabinet. If Cabinet approves the document, it would be channeled via the Ministry of National Security to the Attorney General's Ministry, which will draft the legislation. The draft laws will have to go back to Cabinet for vetting before being handed up to the National Assembly for passage.

Government said, "This initiative is driven by increasing evidence that the current legislation clutters the courts and the prison with primarily a marginalized segment of our population. The added impact of a permanent criminal record further disadvantages this already marginalized group as it establishes a barrier against meaningful employment."

Amandala wanted to know what the data are saying. Singh said, however, that he had requested statistics on the number of inmates in prison for minor marijuana possession charges; however, the Kolbe Foundation, which operates the prison, has not yet provided that information.

Singh went on to say that the fundamental principle is that this should be looked at as a substance abuse issue. He commented that only the people at the lowest levels of society tend to get caught with marijuana possession and that is unfair.

Public comments are invited by Douglas Singh, Committee Chair, to email address: [email protected]; or mailing address: # 1 Mapp Street; Belize City, Belize.

Government also informed that "...if you wish to make representation to the committee, please indicate in your written response and we will be pleased to accommodate your request."

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Former P.M. and attorney discuss decriminalization of marijuana

The idea of decriminalizing small quantities of marijuana, particularly immeasurable amounts often found in blunts commonly known as roaches, is taking center stage. The government has announced that former minister of police, Dough Singh, is leading a committee that will look into its decriminalization. It has long been argued that the cost of prosecuting someone for a stick of weed draws heavily on the wherewithal of law enforcement, as well as the court systems; resources that can be used in tracking criminals and solving more important cases. That argument is widely supported by marijuana users and criminal lawyers. In his presentation last Wednesday, former Prime Minister Said Musa, during the budget debate, revisited the suggestion of making legal certain measures of marijuana in order to relieve the police department, as well as the courts of their unnecessary burden.

Said Musa

Said Musa, Former Prime Minister

"We have a police department that spends its time going after little people with a stick of weed spending the courts time, resources and all that, when in fact why are they not concentrating their efforts in going after the big drug dons who facilitate this drug trade and corrupt the entire system. Surely the time has come to decriminalize that small quantity of marijuana, man, why don't you do it? Why don't you do it? Why go after the little people? Why go after the little people?"

Attorney Dickie Bradley, who has represented numerous clients charged with marijuana possession, says that decriminalization is an initiative that would be championed by the public simply because the charge is outdated.

Richard 'Dickie' Bradley

Richard 'Dickie' Bradley, Criminal Lawyer

"Two or three weeks ago a number of persons were brought to the courts charged for having an unknown quantity of marijuana, meaning that the amounts were so miniscule that the scale can't show the weight but so long as the laboratory can somehow find a way to test the persons would, in fact, legally be in possession of marijuana, quantity unknown. And the unfortunate situation with that was there were several citizens, so how utterly ridiculous it is that persons in this modern age, apparently anything that happens in this court system because of the activity of our media who are always on the ball that persons photographs, their names, their addresses not only show up on the nightly news but then it gets into the internet and then your friends and family abroad and then it's a permanent record as well. We do not have the resources to be wasting the government's, the police's, the court's time to, in fact be charging persons for minor quantities of marijuana. We need to look at it from that angle first of all. Now let me punctuate what I am saying before it slips my mind and tell you that in fact there is too much drinking and too much smoking in Belize, that there is really a need for some serious committees to be formed so that especially our young people can turn to other activities. I believe that the vast majority of citizens, properly informed, would support a move that it makes no sense to make it a criminal matter for a person or persons to be found with small quantities of marijuana. It just does not make any sense."

Former Minister of Police Doug Singh is being joined by Donelle Hawke, Rhea Rogers of the Ministry of National Security, Ya-Ya Marin Coleman, Jeremy Spooner, Susan Fuller and Katie Valk on the committee.

Channel 5


Decriminalization of marijuana possession getting support

The government has rolled out a proposal for the decriminalization of the possession of certain quantities of marijuana. It is moving at the speed of light; and from the looks of it, the proposal is getting support. A committee has been formed and while it was just announced on Monday, a deadline has been set for this Friday to receive public comments. Former Minister of Police Doug Singh was appointed months ago to chair the committee that would carefully examine the decriminalizing of marijuana possession. Since then a task force comprised of seven members, including two who admit to smoking weed, has been established to review the merits under which up to ten grams can be permitted. In addition to the financial and procedural toll that a criminal case for marijuana possession has had on the function of law enforcement, as well as the judiciary, Singh says that a police record, particularly one which results from possession of sums that cannot be weighed using the standard metric system, contributes to the unemployment statistics. Decriminalizing, he emphasized, does not necessarily mean legalizing.

 

Doug Singh, Chairman, Marijuana Decriminalization Committee

Doug Singh

"It's part of an overall initiative to start to look at a second chance policy, so to speak. Sometime last year there was a legislative amendment that provided for the expunging of records. What we noted [was that there] were a lot of young people and not so young people who would either need to travel, needed to get a visa, they were looking for scholarships, they were looking for jobs. And in the case of jobs many of those people who were asked for police records are young. They may not have completed high school so they were looking for jobs as maybe messengers or security and they are asked for a police record. When they do [receive their records] there's maybe a small summary jurisdiction charge so we looked at the possibility of expunging those and passed legislation to do so. So after a certain number of years, if you're not a repeat offender, the record is expunged. Well we also need to look at what got those records there to begin with and start to evaluate really what should be criminal and non-criminal. We felt that within that possession framework we can look at a portion that can be decriminalized and I stress decriminalization because I think it's being misunderstood for legalization. Legal means that there is no penalty, decriminalizing means that there will be a penalty, it's just a different form of penalty. It's a penalty that will not or may not accrue a criminal record or incur a criminal record and it may not require or prescribe incarceration."

 

According to Singh, there is widespread support from various agencies to which the committee has tabled its proposal, including the Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Kolbe Foundation. Singh further notes that there are a number of inmates currently incarcerated at the Belize Central Prison for possession of marijuana under the newly prescribed limit.

 

Isani Cayetano

"In terms of looking at the judicial function and the court system, would you agree that a great deal of this entire situation has bogged down, sort of, on the function of the courts to prosecute and carry out justice in terms of dealing with miniscule amounts of marijuana?"

 

Doug Singh

"That's entirely possible. That is something that we've said for some time. I don't know what the empirical evidence is or the numerical evidence is. There is also the allegation that beyond the courts but within the jail system that you may have a number of people there who are occupying space and they may, many of them may be productive citizens other than for that particular problem. We are looking for those numbers. We have submitted input from the bar association, from the judiciary, we have submitted input from the Kolbe Foundation and I was assured from Kolbe at least, we've had some contact, that they will be submitting numbers of exactly who's in there. So I think we ought not to be dealing with it in principle, we need to look at the data and we need to analyze the data and we need to analyze the data and to allow us to make the best possible recommendation."

 

The Churches, we are told, are yet to firm up a position on whether or not they will lend support to the proposed decriminalization. As a point of interest, when we checked our website poll this evening, there was support, but not by a big margin for the government initiative.

Channel 5


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Legal Marijuana Debated as Belize Joins Regional Push on Drugs

Marijuana possession may be decriminalized in Belize as the Central American nation joins a list of countries from Mexico to Uruguay whose leaders have called for alternatives in the U.S.-led war on drugs.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow's government has appointed a committee to evaluate the decriminalization of up to 10 grams of marijuana, according to an e-mailed statement. Current legislation considers marijuana possession of less than 60 grams a criminal offense punishable by a fine up to $50,000 Belize dollars ($26,000) and as many as three years in prison, according to the statement.

"The word decriminalization means that the treatment of the infraction will be adjusted so that most of the detriments are removed or reduced," according to the statement. "This initiative is driven by increasing evidence that the current legislation clutters the courts and the prison with primarily a marginalized segment of our population."

Belize's move follows Uruguayan President Jose Mujica's support for a plan last month to let the government sell marijuana, while Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina urged regional leaders to consider decriminalization to limit escalating drug violence in Central America. Enrique Pena Nieto, Mexico's recently elected president, said this month that he favors a legalization debate.

`Broad Debate'
"I'm not saying we should legalize," Pena Nieto said in an interview on PBS NewsHour July 3. "But we should debate in Congress, in the hemisphere, and especially the U.S. should participate in this broad debate."

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who helped carry out a U.S.-led anti-narcotics strategy as his nation's defense chief until 2009, called for a legalization debate last year and likened the war on drugs to a stationary bike.

More than 47,000 people have died in drug-related violence in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon began an offensive against cartels in December 2006. Pena Nieto will succeed Calderon in December.

Drug cartels are among the biggest security threats facing Latin America and the Caribbean, General Douglas Fraser, the head of the U.S. Southern Command, said at an event in Miami today. Drug trafficking generates about $320 billion per year in profits, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said in a report this week.

"The committee wishes to emphasize that the proposal is not to legalize the offense thereby purging it of all its penalties; it is merely to reduce and regulate," the Belize government release said. "This is further supported by international trends toward decriminalization."

Belize said it is taking public comments on its proposal through July 20.

Bloomberg

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POLL:

Do you think the government should decriminalize small amounts of marijuana?
Please visit the link above to participate in this post's poll.


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On cannabis

We're an independent country, 30 years and running. So theoretically we should be able to decide our own policies and programs. Sadly, we don't always. Sad truth, we can't always - geopolitical realities, economic constraints, and so on. It is, therefore, a welcome thing when we do.

The decision by the government to consider the decriminalization of marijuana is a bold and long overdue move. And while in the United States decriminalization of marijuana has been picking up steam over the last few years, and Argentina and Mexico just a few years ago approved a similar initiative, Belize, we believe, would be the first country in the Caribbean to so do.

In Jamaica there has been much talk. A national commission was set up in 2001 by the then People's National Party government, and while there is reportedly widespread support in Jamaica for decriminalization, the reality is that successive governments have not had the fortitude to implement it. Last year the Jamaica Labor Party government set up a committee of top government officials to review the issue, but again, nothing came of it. Elections came, and government changed.

In fairness to the Jamaicans, incidentally, citizens are rarely arrested and charged over the possession of small quantities of marijuana in their home, for personal use.

The truth is the United States leans heavily on smaller countries, particularly those like Jamaica, who is reportedly the largest marijuana exporter to the US, and Belize, which the US considers to be a major drugs transshipment point.

The US will be hard-pressed to be publicly disagreeable, though, not with all of 17 US states having already decriminalized marijuana, starting as far back as 1973 with Oregon. Their public position, as it were in the case of Jamaica last year, will be that it's an internal issue and so they cannot comment on either the debate or the outcome, but privately, pressure will be brought to bear.

It is in that vein, that we find the government's stated public comments on the issue bold, and welcoming, with the stated intention to decriminalize, "not to legalize the offence."

With legalization, marijuana use and production would be allowed, and government would then regulate and tax the product. Conceptually, farmers, manufacturers, and distributors would be taxed on cannabis production, potentially bringing a huge windfall to the treasury of the respective nation-state. But that's not what we are dealing with here.

Under the new proposal by the Belize government, people who are caught with small amounts of marijuana will still be punished. But the punishment would fit the crime.

At present if you are caught with less than 60 grams of marijuana, you can be fined up to $50,000, or imprisoned for 3 years, or both. Of course, no one is ever fined the maximum amount, but in any given year, there are over 400 prisoners on remand in the Hattieville Prison, the majority for cannabis possession, and the majority - young, black and poor. A charge for marijuana possession in Belize is not like a murder charge: there are convictions more times than not. 293 alone were convicted of cannabis possession in the first nine months of 2008.

What a conviction does is stigmatize these young men for life. A stain on your police record means you can't get a job, at least not so easily. Very few businesspersons will take a chance on you. Without a job, a life of crime oftentimes becomes your only way out. In prison you become "institutionalized;" chances are you will end up right back there before long. It becomes a cycle.

Under government's new proposal, if you are caught with 10 grams or less of marijuana then you will get what's akin to a traffic ticket. You will be subject to a fine, presumably $100 or so and mandatory drug education, but "no imprisonment." Note that 10 grams is considerably less than the amount decriminalized in most of the aforementioned 17 US states.

We will expect there to be stricter punishments for repeat offenders, for marijuana possession on or near school grounds, and for people smoking marijuana in public, especially in the presence of children and adolescents. There has to be.

We would also hope that under this new proposal we would step up our drug prevention and drug treatment efforts. The NDACC has to be as ubiquitous as the GSU.

There can be no denying: marijuana has harmful effects, the full extent of which is debatable. But what is known for sure is that it's a drug that temporarily causes lethargy, memory impairment, loss of motor skills, increased heart rate, and so on and so forth.

And while we don't know of any case of marijuana overdose in humans, and it is not known to induce violent tendencies in its users, marijuana does increase the likelihood of accidents when driving under its influence.

In other words, we are not recommending that our people, especially our young, go out and "blaze a blunt" - not at all. But we are dealing with the real here. Thousands of Belizeans still smoke marijuana, harmful effects and all. And among those thousands, there are many people in high places who smoke, but they never ever end up behind bars. The law, as presently constructed and implemented, unfairly targets a segment of our population that has long been marginalized and deprived. Changing that is not only just, it's long overdue.

The question then arises - what about all those hundreds, if not thousands, of youths who over the years have been tagged with a tarnished police record? What can we do about them? And we are not talking about repeat offenders here. We are talking about the Southside youth who got into trouble once with a stick or two of weed, and today he can't get a job, can't tend his family, because of this blot on his resume. Something has to be done; those records should be expunged. We think it's the right thing to do.

There is also an economic component to this move. It is a well documented fact that the decriminalization of marijuana saves, and earns participating governments money. There are fewer prisoners to house, less time and resources spent on processing and prosecuting youths, and more fines to be collected.

In this regard, there is something to watch. Three years ago the prison population was in excess of 1500, and Kolbe's budget from government was $7.1 million. Today, by their own admission, the prison population is around 1300, and that budget has inched up to $7.2 million. That's just not right. Those savings should go to youth programs, with a portion going to drug education and drug treatment programs.

Of course, not everyone will agree with decriminalization. Some will say marijuana is a "gateway" drug, and that decriminalizing it will increase the usage; some will even say that crime will go up. There is no evidence, as far as we know, to support those arguments, and as we have pointed out, there are a number of states and countries that have done this before. The studies are ample.

The government, in its press release dated Monday, July 16, had indicated that Friday, July 20, 2012, is the deadline for concerned citizens to express their views on this "sensitive issue." We believe the time is too short. The government will need to extend the date, and possibly hold some town meetings. There is quite a bit of misinformation out there. For sure, this will not be law overnight. There is a process to follow. It is written.

Amandala

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Legalize It? Or Decriminalize It?

Before we go into our next story, we warn you that it discusses and displays use of marijuana which may be unsuitable for young audiences. So if you have children around the TV, you might want to ask them out of the room or change the channel.

No doubt, the hot topic this week is decriminalizing marijuana - after Government announced that it had named a committee to explore the subject.

And the reason it's a hot topic - is because, frankly, based only on anecdotal evidence, we'd say that marijuana is very widely used in Belize.

You can argue over whether that is a good or bad thing, but it is a real thing - and thus the committee has been tasked to figure out what to do with all the casual users - those who risk imprisonment - and sometimes end up in jail, just for a joint.

Doug Singh - who first named a committee to explore decriminalization when he was police minister, now, finds himself chairing that committee.

He says they started by looking at decriminalization laws in other countries where anywhere from three to 25 grammes was decriminalized. He said the Belize model that is being explored falls somewhere in the middle.:..

Hon. Dough Singh, Chairman - Committee Looking Into Decriminalization
"We found that the quantities varies from like 3 grammes to 25 grammes I think was the highest that we have seen from a decriminalization and the average seems to be around 7-10 grammes and so we thought that we will look at the average and look at the arguments associated with the average."

Jules Vasquez reporting
This is ten grammes of Mexican weed known as Oaxaca - because it is high grade it sells for fifty dollars. Half of this would be used to roll what's considered a large marijuana joint which, being high grade, is hard to hold down.

They also sell a gramme - like this - for five dollars - under the proposed decriminalization model these amounts would no longer be treated differently from considered possession.

Hon. Dough Singh
"We are looking at the possibility of a small quantity. As the law currently exist if you have in your possession 60 grammes or above that is considered trafficking and it carries a certain fine. If it is less than 60 grammes - at this point in time that's possession and the fine for possession is up to $50,000.00 and or up to 3 years imprisonment. What we are looking to doing is in the class of possession is to take till of that 60 grammes - 10 grammes and say perhaps we ought not to look at making this thing punitive - it should carry no jail sentence, it should probably carry a fine and no criminal record."

But it would still be an offence

Hon. Dough Singh
"In others words it doesn't means that you should be able to walk down the street and smoke a joint as you wish. That will still be illegal, it's like alcohol, you can drink it in a bar and you can drink it under certain control circumstances. There is something called public drinking - you really ought not to be walking down the street with a beer in your hand or rum and coke and drinking it, so it's still illegal under certain circumstances or with rum and coke and drinking it. So it's still illegal under certain circumstances."

"The proposal is that it be the same circumstances with this small portion of marijuana. There is a distinction between legalization and decriminalization; legalization means that no penalty is adhered under certain circumstances, in other words if you are caught with a small quantity perhaps no penalty will be adhered to it. Legalization doesn't mean that; it means that it is still illegal, it's just like driving without a driver's license or with an expired driver's license is illegal but didn't take you to jail for doing that. What we want to do is to ensure that we can deal with the infraction responsibly, so it's not going to be illegal, it's just that the penalties for that small portion will be different from what it currently is."

Whichever way, it is good news to Rastafarians like Ras Ruben who take the herb as a religious rite and feel that their sacrament has been criminalized.

Ras Ruben - Rastafarian
"For me to be criminalize because of my sacrament is unjust, so I feel like it is about high time that we take steps towards decriminalization and that is just the first step because decriminalization does not necessarily mean that that it will be legalize and we understand that. We understand the lingo that they are using. Decriminalization just simply means that they are not going to persecute us as a criminal, but they are not going to legalize marijuana, so it is good that they have open the forum. If we have done it, it would have never gotten the respect. But you see Doug Singh - I have to applaud him because he is taking the necessary steps to take this scrutiny off our lives because of marijuana."

But the fact is that most persons charged for marijuana are poor - and those are often times the ones who end up in jail:

Hon. Dough Singh
"I am not a user of marijuana. I do know though a lot of people that use it. I know people across the social and economic landscape that uses it. It saddens me to see that the people you do find incarcerated who used it are the de-marginalize people and not the people on the upper economic scale etc. which shows that the way the law is being enforced is certainly not balance and fair. That is one position, I think there ought to be equity under any circumstances or there ought to had to be fair treatment under any circumstances, but beyond that I think evidence is showing that marijuana use is no worse than alcohol use and it is treated so absolutely differently. Once again a level playing field ought to be afforded."

And if they seem to kind of have their minds made up - that may be because the committee by and large is of a more liberal bent:

Jules Vasquez
"It seems that the group is a more liberal minded."

Hon. Dough Singh
"That is correct. It wasn't so by choice, it was very difficult to try to find somebody who was so vehemently against the decriminalization of marijuana. Since the consultation though, individuals have come forward who have strong positions against decriminalization. I was advise that Mrs. Karen Bodden who is an educator and who had been the head of the national drug council has very strong positions and we've ask her to join the committee because I believe that balance is necessary in the committee. The committee admit-ably has currently 8 members but of that 8 members there are 2 people who admit to smoking marijuana."

But the decision is not theirs to make, that would be left to the political directorate and ultimately the legislature.

Hon. Dough Singh
"I am not the one making the recommendations; it's the committee that is making the recommendation. If there is a proposal put forward it then goes as form of a Cabinet decision paper and to whether or not to consider this. Cabinet may decide to just not consider it at all or they may decide to consider it and amend it in some fashion to incorporate certain ideas that they may have. If there is any agreement whether it be in its original form or amended form it then has to go back to the ministry where it is written up in a certain way and sends to the Sol. Gens' office for legislative amendments for drafting. Then it goes back to Cabinet and Cabinet looks at the legislation. Through all that process there continues to be the opportunity for input and for lobbying by any groups and individuals. So the consultation process for the recommendation is not limited to just now, even thru the legislative process there is the opportunity for consultation. The length and breadth of consultation is not limited to what we are doing at this point in time."

But for Ra Ruben, the logic is simple:

Ras Ruben
"How long have we been on earth as human beings? How long as it been illegal for human beings? If you look at the statistics it's less than 60 years that they are criminally persecute us. So the people need to understand the whole schematics behind it and understand the holistic..."

Jules Vasquez
"Do you think people have been smoking herb from the beginning of time?"

Ras Ruben
"From the first man came on earth we are giving sacrifice with herb. Herb is a part of our ritual as human beings."

And while his views are very pro-weed, we'll have an opposing view next week.

Singh has extended the time for which they will take suggestions from the public. The deadline should have been today, but you can still send your mails to [email protected] or drop them at #3 Mapp Street.

The eight person committee has the membership of the Legal Counsel for Police Department, Rhea Rogers from the Ministry of National Security, Charles Bartlett Hyde, Ya Ya Marin Coleman, Jeremy Spooner, Katie Valk and Susan Fuller.

PUP Senator Karen Bodden told us that she has been invited to a meeting as a dissenting voice - as a trained drug educator who believes that marijuana use has an adverse effect on youths.

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from a friend....

Dear Mr. Singh,

Thank you for the opportunity to voice our views to the Committee considering the decriminalisation of marijuana in Belize.

I am a permanent resident of Belize, a registered voter through Commonwealth membership and a property owner. I hope to become a citizen soon. I love Belize and care tremendously about its future. I understand that the use of marijuana is a controversial issue. Many believe it is a gateway to harder drugs that may be more harmful, some are concerned about its availability to children, while others are opposed on the basis of moral or health grounds. All of these are important and should be weighed carefully as I know, the esteemed members of the Committee will be doing.

My views are as follows. There is no doubt that the recreational use of any substance, whether that substance be alcohol, tobacco, prescription medicine, marijuana or other illegal drugs has the potential to be harmful. We also must accept that the addiction and associated abuse issues have a detrimental effect on society as a whole. Reflecting on attempts at prohibition and their apparent lack of success and, more recently, upon the 'war on drugs' and it's abysmal failure, it is imperative that we accept that criminalising drug users is neither effective nor beneficial.

People will use alcohol and drugs, no matter how severe the penalty for doing so. One only has to look at some of the conservative Muslim nations, where there are heavy penalties for drug and alcohol use to see that they are ineffective. Therefore, the criminalisation of a very popular recreational drug, especially one that is culturally important to some, is a fruitless measure.

I do question the logic of decriminalisation as opposed to legalisation for the following reasons:
1. Marijuana users will still be forced to obtain drugs from drug dealers, who will be criminals. This means that they will be associating with criminals and therefore more vulnerable to becoming involved in further criminal activity or exposed to harder, more dangerous drugs.
2. It will still be something that is a 'hidden' activity, denying those that need help in regards to abuse easy and ready access to care and treatment.
3. It will be impossible to enforce the way in which marijiuana is sold, continuing to place children at risk. When a substance is legal, control, monitoring and enforcement of distribution reduces this risk dramatically.
4. The profits will continue to remain in the hands of drug dealers and criminals, funding further criminal activity.
5. The government will see no real benefit except for more room in their jails. A country struggling financially, such as Belize, should be taking a radical approach to collecting taxes on marijuana sales and cultivation under government control. This would create jobs and could become a very profitable industry.
6. The opportunity for marijuana tourism, while distasteful to some, is no more (probably less) problematic than alcohol. Stoned tourists are likely to be a lot less problematic than drunk ones and it is likely that there would be an influx of new tourists coming to enjoy our beautiful country, while being able to participate in what, we all must admit, is an age old practice.
7. Finally, many use marijuana for medical reasons and there is more and more evidence that this has a sound basis in science. Criminalising the sick, is preposterous.


Again, I thank you for the opportunity to present my own views on this issue and very much look forward to the outcome of the Committee's findings.

Warm regards,

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I am in agreement with this well-stated position.
Legalize marijuana!

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Baby steps. Decriminalize and then work towards legalization. To try and legalize now would bring down the wrath of the US government and stall progress for years.

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Decriminalize it? The people weigh in

Last week Monday the nation was hit with a press release from the Government of Belize's Ministry of National Security stating that it had authorized a committee to look into the decriminalization of marijuana. Chairman of the committee and former Minister of Police, Dough Sing, the spokesman of the decriminalization committee told the media that the committee had been organized some time ago and had sent letters to several organizations requesting feedback on the proposal. The invitation to have the public participate may have been triggered by comments made in the house by Said Musa, former leader of the Position, Prime Minister and area rep for the Fort George division.

Hon. Said Musa, Former Prime Minister, PUP
We all know that we have a Police Department that spends its time going after little people with a stick of weed, spending resources and all that, when in fact why are they not concentrating their efforts in going after the big drug guns who facilitate this drug trade and corrupt the entire system? Surely the time has come to decriminalize that small quantity of marijuana. Why don't you do it? Why go after the little people.

The prime Minister's wrap-up during the second day of the debate spoke directly to musa's comments earlier in the debate. From his comments, it appears he is aware of marijuana's effects . Here are those comments.

Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
What was most instructive was his formula for solving the crime and violence problem in Belize - legalize marijuana - that is what the ex Prime Minister came up with as his sole policy prescription for solving crime and violence. I don't know about anyone else, but it made me wonder if that is so he can do in the open, what perhaps he well has been doing in secret all these years. If I am right Mr. Speaker, it would explain the bizarre behavior that is so much a part of his history - the utter lack of any political or personal compass, the signing of the Telemedia accommodation agreement and the UHS guarantee, the Belize Bank loan notes and settlement deeds and the illegal income tax exemption to every profit extracting foreign millionaire manager of the Ashcroft alliance.

What followed Monday's press release was a media blitz by Chairman Dough Singh who confirmed among other things that the 8 man committee includes 2 weed smokers. According to Singh, the committee is considering decriminalizing around 10grams of marijuana; this amounts to some 10 joints or "roach" as it Is called in the streets. He encouraged Citizens to make comments to the committee via an email address [email protected]. PlusTV encouraged its viewers to copy their comments to [email protected] so that we could get a firsthand pulse of what Belizeans are telling the Decriminalization Committee. The response was quite overwhelming; some 115 persons copied their comments to PlusTV. Of the total we received, 94 are against Criminalization, with 11 of them requesting more time for education. Of the Total, 15 requested more time without giving their opinion on decriminalization, while only 5 of our respondents said they favored criminalization.

Here is a sample of what some of them are saying:

Delvorine an educator with a Masters in Education says "Students will use marijuana more freely, behavioral problems will increase and learning ability will be highly affected."

SAMUEL who is a LAWYER, argued that "If it is the view of the Belize Government that the abuse of cannabis is detrimental to society (which I believe it is) then I am convinced that the criminal law is the best method of communicating this to the public at large and particularly to young people. If there is no threat of sanction then society effectively is being told that there is nothing wrong with doing it."

"Don't make this error." Says FATHER MARK, a priest! "The take home message would be: marijuana use is okay, healthy and harmless. For the vast majority of users and cases those three things are far far from true."

Former Mayor of Belmopan,Tony Chanona says "Rather than 'legalize/decriminalize' the possession and use of marijuana we should review this law so that the administration of justice by our courts can allow for a judge or magistrate to employ discretionary powers (just as the laws of Belize allow Ministers to do) so that the 'marginalized and the indigent' are not swept into prison without due process and consideration."

One of the 5 who agreed with Decriminalization of marijuana, Ozaeta says.. "Indeed, punitive measures designed to merely punish rather than to help someone seem to be founded on negativity. , the decriminalization of a hazardous and illicit drug such as marijuana can be considered a step in the right direction."

Several people submitted their own direct and indirect experiences because of marijuana. One Person spoke about weed being sold at a field day at her kids's school, while another spoke about a neighborhood shootout in San Perdo, Ambergris Caye, over marijuana turf. Noteworthy, is that the RAND Corporation out of the United States states that increased availability of marijuana leads to drastic reduction in price. Reduction in price is the KEY indicator to increased access by youth. For Every 10% decrease in price, there is an increased addiction in youths between 3-5%... Increased access by the youth (such as Standard 6) has produced greater Addiction of marijuana and hence greater exposure to other drugs.

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The Case Against Weed Decriminalization

On Friday's newscast you heard from Doug Singh - the former police minister who's now the chairman of the committee to examine the decriminalization of marijuana.

He said the committee is only considering the options - but also added that most of the members of the 8 persons committee are pro-decriminalization - including two members who are regular users of marijuana.

And that's why he's invited PUP Senator Karen Bodden to lend her considerable experience and knowledge to the committee.

She meets with the group for the first time on Thursday - but spoke to us today. She said that the public, national conversation about marijuana use is one that she's been waiting to hear for a long time She's happy that it's finally started but, So far, not so happy with the direction it's going. She told us more:..

Senator Karen Bodden
"Today I am happy because I believe that we are at that point where that conversation that takes place in an honest, open manner. For me I am excited because what I have been trying to do for decades as you put it - I can finally see it happening. I can finally see parents throughout that period - have suffered from all the ills of marijuana use. In particular parents who have come to me seeking assistance for their child are now able to better understand the conversation and basically decriminalization should have been at the end of a continuum, so to speak. Had we been responding as we ought to have been responding to the data presented throughout the years - it would have been a time now when people would have had access to the right education, where students coming out of school would be armed with skills that they could make decisions, where the society would not feel that the lesser burden is just to decriminalize it and get them off your back because that seems to be how people start to feel - that we are so caught up in this marijuana issue that we have no way out and all that would not have been happening at the pace that it is happening today where in my mind its being manage in a haste that doesn't make much sense."

"So yes, over the years we could have form the foundation and the foundation would have been prevention education. This is where I believe that if the committee is serious it cannot just focus on decriminalization, cannot, because that would be adding another injustice to the same people that they are targeting to help. It's not right. Most of the young people who will jump on the decriminalization bandwagon have very little education or very little information about what it is that they are jumping on the bandwagon for. All they see is that "the Babylon (police) can't harass me no more because this is so and so and Doug Singh is a big man because he does so and so." buts it's not fair, they are manipulating the ignorance and the lack of information and that it not right."

Jules Vasquez
"You think that smoking marijuana is a bad thing?"

Senator Karen Bodden
"Bad is an operative word and so I want to look at the dynamics actually. From my experience working in the schools and still doing so because I do drug counseling as well with families and when I see where a student at 16 years old goes on the street and he purchases marijuana, but he has never smoke "hydro" he just smoke the regular cannabis and when that child finish smoking that child gets so paranoid that he walks the floor for 3 nights without sleeping; he can't sleep and he is look for edge weapons to take care of his family because they are a threat to him in his state of mind. At 16, then I see the mother coming into my office with her son in that condition. There is no way that I can sit in front of you and say smoking marijuana is no big deal and when I have to take that child to the psych unit and then drive the child up to Belmopan where the child is then kept for 8 days in the psych unit before being release so that they can detox and I take that child home and to date that child has still not return to the form of normalcy, so he is still not in school."

"Last year when I had to physically hold one of the students right here because a few of the girls got together and decided that they were going to make marijuana fudge, this child had never had marijuana before and so when she ate the fudge she just got so paranoid that she was attempting to fit herself through a window. Jules when I see those things, those are the reasons why I am as passionate as I am. I have very interest in hearing what Switzerland is doing or what Australia is doing, very little. I read the statics for information but I am more interested in what is right for Belize, what is right for us. What is the national vision for us? What is it that we want? Our country to accomplish and is this the right way for us to go about doing it. So when I summarize all that in looking at the effects that I have had to deal with over the years and our children, when I am called to a primary school where a six year old is addicted to marijuana because the family has this ritual that they go through - religious ritual and the child was a part of all that. At 6 years old, the teacher was frustrated, she couldn't get the child to concentrate, couldn't get the child to sit still and eventually the principal decided that if they talk to this child, what are some of the issues that this child has and one of the first thing that came out of the child's mouth was 'Ms. if you want me to sit down you just have to give me some weed, because only when I smoke weed I am able to sit down.' At 6 years old, he didn't understand what was happening to him. When they call me in to deal with that - I have 2 cases like that at that same age. when they call me in to deal with the situation and we sent for the parents and we sat down with the parents and for me to know that they love their child but because of ignorance of the whole marijuana issue - it's based on hearsay, it's based on people saying that it's no big deal, people tell you that God make it and so forth. God also made Poison Ivy, but would you hug up a plant of Poison Ivy because God made it?"

Jules Vasquez
"What effect do you think it will have on young people when they hear that 10 grammes is decriminalize?"

Senator Karen Bodden
"Jules that is scary to even perceive at this point because being in school and not just at Sadie Vernon but schools all over the country, we know that our young people are experimenting. We also know that over the years they have develop an attitude of 'if we see the police, we will run from them etc.' but now for us to go to the point where they are able to have this quantity and feel good about it because even if they are caught by the police they don't face jail time. I am also concern that some schools operate on policies. One such policy being the alcohol and drug policy for high schools and so many of the high school students are adults by chronological age and so when you say to them "well you are not allowed to have marijuana on the school compound, don't you see the drug policy, these are the consequences." How will that school carry out those consequences within this context."

"When you talk about trends - we could have identified the trend from 1998 to 2003. Within that 5 year period, you had almost a 19.1% increase in marijuana use. You went from 1.2% use among students in 1998 to 20.3% in 2003. I think we saw an increase from 1.2% to 20.3% over a 5 year period and so I believe that if we were to conduct a similar survey today in our secondary schools you would be somewhere in the vicinity of almost 1/3 of our student population who are at risk for marijuana use and that is a huge number and when you speak to many of them they will tell you I started using in primary school."

Senator Bodden is a career educator and trained drug counselor. She has been invited to be a member of the committee, but so far, she has only indicated that she is attending a meeting to make her views known.

Channel 7


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Decriminalization gets private sector (Chamber) support - but only for 5 grams of weed

The Government of Belize continues to seek public input into proposals to introduce a ceiling of 10 grams of marijuana- about 10 sticks of weed-as the amount that a person can legally possess without facing a jail term.

Presently, the possession of less than 60 grams of marijuana is a criminal offence punishable by a $50,000 fine and/or up to 3 years imprisonment. The new proposal, though, suggests that for the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana, those convicted would be subject to fines and mandatory drug education, but no imprisonment.

Public feedback was invited before a deadline of Friday, July 20, 2012, and Doug Singh, chairman of the committee appointed to look into proposals for the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize, told our newspaper that they are due to meet this Thursday to discuss the public feedback.

"If it calls for further consultation, we will do so," said Singh.

He told us that as of late last week, he had seen 58 comments, and all except two expressed support.

The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has consulted with its members and has told the committee that "they are for the most part receptive to supporting this initiative."

The Chamber said that if there is proper regulation and enforcement, the decriminalization of marijuana can reduce the burden on Belize's judicial and prison systems.

Kim Aikman, BCCI's Chief Executive Officer, wrote Singh in a letter dated Monday, July 16, 2012, and posted on the Chamber's website on Friday, July 20, saying that the decriminalization of marijuana is "a step in the right direction."

"We are essentially living in a country with scarce resources and a ballooning crime problem, and we believe that this initiative is a step in the right direction towards maximizing the use of our resources," Aikman's letter also said.

However, she noted, Chamber members do have some suggestions, and they ask that (1) consequences need to be regulated for non-payment of fines and for not attending mandatory drug education, (2) drug education needs to be defined, and (3) the quantity of marijuana needs to be reduced to 5 grams.

Singh has said that whereas some countries have decriminalized up to 25 grams of marijuana, their information indicates that the smallest quantity any country has decriminalized is 5 grams.

According to Singh, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin has indicated to the committee that whereas they cannot make a pronouncement on the decriminalization proposals in particular, the judiciary is also working to improve the situation, and it is moving to put in place a separate drug court which would also deal with drug rehabilitation.

Singh said that several responses are pending, including formal input from the churches.

When Amandala contacted him today, Canon Leroy Flowers, President of the Belize Council of Churches, said that they only just received the notice requesting comment on the proposals last Tuesday, and they have asked for an extension of time in order to formulate and submit their position.

Flowers said that their members would be undertaking an independent review of the proposal and they hope to be able to submit their position within the next two weeks or so.

Amandala


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Bravo, there are far more important issues for the limited resources of the Police and Courts than small amounts of marijuana for personal use...

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The medical perspective on decriminalizing marijuana possession

You will have heard by now of a proposal to decriminalize the possession of a small quantity of marijuana. The pros and cons of this proposal have been and will continue to be debated; and there are strong arguments on both sides. The recreational and medicinal use are separate and distinct issues; this week, Healthy Living gets the medical facts on marijuana, its effects and one medical professional's opinion on the issue of decriminalization.

Marleni Cuellar, Reporting

By now, either by means of drug education or the glamorized drug use in pop culture, most people are exposed to marijuana and its effects. However, the effect of marijuana use varies with each individual. To find out more we spoke with Dr Fernando Cuellar to find out more about the drug.

Dr. Fernando Cuellar, Internist/Intensivist

Fernando Cuellar

"Actually they have been able to identify four hundred and eighty different substances in marijuana. Of course the one that pops out is the T.H.C. The cannaboid that is the actual substance that produces the effect of a state of euphoria and wellness as one has perceived it to be."

The effect of T.H.C. on the body usually accounts for the high that marijuana users claim to experience.

Dr. Fernando Cuellar

"It infers in the normal transmission of chemicals in the brain. It makes the person, feel a sense of euphoria a feeling good about themselves, in other words it fools the brain. It makes pain, be perceived less, it can interfere with the vomit center and the nausea center in the brain and that is the benefits or the reason why they use it in certain circumstances."

Marijuana metabolizes quickly in the body, therefore the short term effects fade within hours, there is no definitive information available as to what the long term effects of marijuana use; but the research into this continues. It is noted that some people are more susceptible to the addictive nature of the drug.

Dr. Fernando Cuellar

"From the research I've done it's says its idiosyncratic you really cannot explain it you really cannot predict it who will get addicted to the drug; just like any other medication. Some people react one way to the Tylenol and other people react a different way to the same Tylenol. It's just the different chemical way you're made."

There are examples where marijuana is used for medicinal purposes. However, Dr. Cuellar implores that when talking about decriminalization that there be a clear distinction between recreational & medical marijuana use.

Dr. Fernando Cuellar

"So far what has been the buzz in Belize is the decriminalization which is a completely different aspect from medical use of marijuana. They should not even be entertained in the same conversation. It's a whole different thing. Medical use of marijuana is when it is prescribed by a physician or those who are in the authority to prescribe medication or certain specific circumstances and quite frankly. My research has for passed day has led me to [find out] that more and more the list for medical use of marijuana is getting shorter not like a decade ago where the list was so long. But I think consensually they have decided that it is helpful with multiple sclerosis, it's helpful in stimulating appetite in certain wasting syndromes like HIV/Aids and pain control."

As for his personal opinion on decriminalization as an experienced physician; he sees other areas that are more pertinent at this time.

Dr. Fernando Cuellar

"My opinion on this is that we have bigger fishes to fry in Belize, this unfortunate distraction I'd want to us to be talking about forensic medicine if we really want to put our country forward.

Marleni Cuellar

"Are you concerned at all at about the health implications?"

Dr. Fernando Cuellar

"I would be more concerned about alcohol use. Ok. Because I have seen alcohol doing more damage than marijuana."

Channel 5


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I am on the Committee and research showed too few people in jail soley for small amounts for that to be a consideration in discussions to decrim. The focus is, does someone in possession of 10 grams or less, deserve to have a criminal record that will impede future employment, educational opportunities and travel abroad. We have extended the dealine for email discussion to Aug 30, so pls contribute yours

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Just for reference sake - how many joints is 10 grams?
Trying to get a sense of "how much" is enough to be considered trouble.


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We had evidence weed at the meeting and it was a decent amount, about 10 cigarette size joints worth, but will get exact figures and back to you. We began the exercise at 6 grams and now up to 10 after looking at what other countries have done, some as little as 5 grams, others as high as 25 grams.


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Did you properly dispose of the evidence after the exercise?


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7 grams is a quarter ounce. 7 grams is also what a Canadian dollar coin weighs so you can calibrate your spring scale. I'm assuming the Belize dollar is also 7 grams as they are almost identical.

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If Belize takes this very important and very positive step, there will be a flood of we 'Baby Boomers' retiring there, at this point I'm considering Uruguay, but would much perfer Belize if they allow the best medicine for so many illnesses, we are fun, friendly, & harmless people who only seek 'freedom', we will bring many good things and people with us...come on Belize, screw the US...do it your way ;-)

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Baby boomers are already flooding the place as their nests empty out and they are ready for a new lifestyle.

Regardless of decriminalization folks that want to smoke dope will continue to do so. As with all other drugs, it won't get stamped out and be unavailable.

It is tough to say screw the US- especially if there a load of US refugees lining up to come down here. With every immigrant we see changes in how our culture views things and how our new residents impose their belief system and infuse it with ours.

Please be sure to send your point of view to the email address - the committee is seeking input.


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but, all people seek acceptance, a lifetime of being a criminal while hurting no one, stealing nothing, and promoting peace and love...come on its time for the world to open its eyes to 'truth' and not the lies of the past, I celebrate your freedom...can't you do the same for me?

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The initiative is not to spur tourism or real estate, but simply to remove the criminal penalty for possesion of 10 grams or less so the Belizean offender does not have a criminal record and further impede employment, education opportunities and travel aboard.


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Originally Posted by midnrider
but, all people seek acceptance, a lifetime of being a criminal while hurting no one, stealing nothing, and promoting peace and love...come on its time for the world to open its eyes to 'truth' and not the lies of the past, I celebrate your freedom...can't you do the same for me?


Come on - peace and love do not equate to marijuana. Dope is dope - you smoke it to get high. Not saying it's wrong, but please don't argue that it is morally superior to be stoned.
Intoxication is not about uplifting one's social ethics, it's about entertainment.



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Interesting article in online NYTimes today on this subject - I am unable to effectively post the address, sorry. The article is about Uruguay's proposals and the various views, effects, etc. It's very interesting.
If somebody can find and post the link or text it might be a useful bit of input to this discussion.

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Uruguay Considers Legalizing Marijuana to Stop Traffickers

South America Sees Drug Path to Legalization

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — The agricultural output of this country includes rice, soybeans and wheat. Soon, though, the government may get its hands dirty with a far more complicated crop — marijuana — as part of a rising movement in this region to create alternatives to the United States-led war on drugs.

Uruguay’s famously rebellious president first called for “regulated and controlled legalization of marijuana” in a security plan unveiled last month. And now all anyone here can talk about are the potential impacts of a formal market for what Ronald Reagan once described as “probably the most dangerous drug in America.”

“It’s a profound change in approach,” said Sebastián Sabini, one of the lawmakers working on the contentious proposal unveiled by President José Mujica on June 20. “We want to separate the market: users from traffickers, marijuana from other drugs like heroin.”

Across Latin America, leaders appalled by the spread of drug-related violence are mulling policies that would have once been inconceivable.

Decriminalizing everything from heroin and cocaine to marijuana? The Brazilian and Argentine legislatures think that could be the best way to allow the police to focus on traffickers instead of addicts.

Legalizing and regulating not just drug use, but also drug transport — perhaps with large customs fees for bulk shipments? President Otto Pérez Molina of Guatemala, a no-nonsense former army general, has called for discussion of such an approach, even as leaders in Colombia, Mexico, Belize and other countries also demand a broader debate on relaxing punitive drug laws.

Uruguay has taken the experimentation to another level. United Nations officials say no other country has seriously considered creating a completely legal state-managed monopoly for marijuana or any other substance prohibited by the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Doing so would make Uruguay the world’s first marijuana republic — leapfrogging the Netherlands, which has officially ignored marijuana sales and use since 1976, and Portugal, which abolished all criminal penalties for drug use in 2001. Here, in contrast, a state-run industry would be born, created by government bureaucrats convinced that opposition to marijuana is simply outdated.

“In 1961, television was just black and white,” said Julio Calzada, secretary general of Uruguay’s National Committee on Drugs. “Now we have the Internet.”

But kicking the prohibitionist habit, it turns out, is no easy task. Even here in a small, progressive country of 3.3 million people, the president’s proposal has hit a gust of opposition. Doctors, political rivals, marijuana users and security officials have all expressed concern about how marijuana would be managed and whether legalization, or something close to it, would accelerate Uruguay’s worsening problem of addiction and crime.

Mr. Mujica, 78, a bohemian former guerrilla who drives a 1981 Volkswagen Beetle, seems to be surprised by the response. He said this month that if most Uruguayans did not understand legalization’s value, he would suspend his plan while hammering out the details and building public support. But this is a defiant leader who spent more than a decade in jail as a political prisoner, so even as he discussed postponement, he signaled that he might not be willing to give up, emphasizing that drug users “are enslaved by an illegal market.”

“They follow the path to crime because they don’t have the money,” he said, “and they become dealers because they have no other financial means to satisfy their vice.”

His government, which has a slim majority in Parliament, is moving forward. One of the president’s advisers said this month that draft legislation would be submitted within a few weeks, and Mr. Calzada, among many others, has been hard at work. His desk is covered with handwritten notes on local drug markets. A career technocrat with the long, wispy hair of an aging rocker, he said he had been busy calculating how much marijuana Uruguay must grow to put illegal dealers out of business. He has concluded that with about 70,000 monthly users, the haul must be at least 5,000 pounds a month.

“We have to guarantee that all of our users are going to be able to get a quality product,” he said.

He added that security would be another challenge. Drug cartels protect their product by hiding it and with the ever-present threat of violence. Uruguayan officials, including Mr. Sabini — one of several lawmakers who openly admits to having smoked marijuana — favor a more neighborly approach. They imagine allowing individuals to cultivate marijuana for their own noncommercial use while professional farmers provide the rest by growing it on small plots of land that could be easily protected.

The government would also require users to sign up for registration cards to keep foreigners away — an idea influenced by a new policy in the Netherlands, which restricts marijuana sales to residents — and to track and limit Uruguayans’ purchases (to perhaps 40 joints a month, officials say). Finally, there would be systems set up to regulate the levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, and levy taxes on producers, relying for enforcement on the agencies regulating tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceuticals.

Officials acknowledge that by trying to beat kingpins like the Mexican Joaquín Guzmán, known as Chapo, at their own game, Uruguay would need to co-opt old foes and join forces with the same drug aficionados it has been sending to jail for years.

That means cozying up to people like Juan Vaz. A thin, dark-haired computer programmer and father of three who is perhaps Uruguay’s most famous marijuana activist, Mr. Vaz spent 11 months in prison in a few years ago after being caught with five flowering marijuana plants and 37 seedlings. In an interview, he compared marijuana to wine, and expressed both interest and alarm at the government’s plans. He said he was pleased to see the Mujica administration tackle the issue, but like many others, he said he feared government control.

Personal marijuana use is already decriminalized in Uruguay, so Mr. Vaz, 45, said the idea of a registry for producers and users amounted to an Orwellian step backward. “We’re concerned about the violation of privacy,” he said.

Other growers and smokers, who spoke on the condition that they were not fully identified, appeared more eager to take part. Martín, 26, a bearded programmer whose closet full of marijuana plants added a unique aroma to his apartment complex, said his friends had been talking about starting a small marijuana farm.

Gabriel, 35, a dealer and user who lives downtown, said that he welcomed a legal market and hoped it would hamper the darker side of the drug business. He said that he had been selling marijuana on and off for 15 years — moving a little more than two pounds a month — and that the people he bought from had often pressured him to take on more dangerous drugs like cocaine paste, a cracklike substance that has spread wildly through the region since 2001.

“Pasta base,” as it is called here, is generally blamed for Uruguay’s recent rise in drug addiction and violent crime, and Mr. Mujica has said that legalizing marijuana would break the cycle of addiction and delinquency that begins when users become dealers.

Many in the drug treatment community have their doubts. “You’re never going to get rid of the black market,” said Pablo Rossi, director of Fundación Manantiales, which runs several residential treatment centers in Montevideo.

But Gabriel said that big dealers would inevitably adapt. The question is: for good or ill? Maybe they would start selling cocaine cheaper, he said, causing more problems. Or maybe they would be pushed out of the drug business entirely. For now, at least, they mostly seem to be afraid of change: he said a kilogram of marijuana (2.2 pounds) now costs about $470 in Uruguay, up from around $375 before the legalization proposal was announced.

“They are trying to make as much money as they can,” Gabriel said. “They think legalization is imminent.”

NYTimes


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Uruguay has a very progressive, very smart leader...it is where the world is going and they may just be the 'cutting edge' of needed change

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well said my brother...well said

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so sad your opinion is, so hurtful to those who don't feel as you do

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Whatcha smokin' there midnrider?

JudyAnn may not be an advocate, as are you, but she certainly has the right to live in her own home without others forcing their chosen lifestyle and music into her nasal passages, her curtains, her furniture, her ears, etc.

You wanna do what you wanna do? That's cool . . . then, go peacefully and do what you wanna do without harshing anyone else's mellow.


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Results of various polls on marijuana decriminalization

Ever since the Government of Belize's Ministry of National Security dropped a bombshell that it had authorized a committee to look into the decriminalization of marijuana, the public has been weighing in on this hot-button issue. One outlet through which people have been expressing their support or contest with the matter is by way of various online polls. And we found it appropriate to update our viewers on the direction of these polls.

We came across two individual ones on lovetv.com, the first was initiated in April of this year and that survey posed the question - "Do you think the Government should decriminalize small amounts of marijuana?" - 39% of the body of voters said 'No' while 61% said 'Yes.'

In a subsequent poll activated this month, the polling question read "Should the Government legalize marijuana in Belize?" With a turnaround of results - 68% answered 'No' and 32% said 'Yes.'

In an independent survey on channel5belize.com also activated this month, the populace was asked "Do you support decriminalizing marijuana?" - a whopping 65% voted 'No' and 35% said they do support marijuana decriminalization.

And we here at PlusTV on plustvbelize.com posed the question in early July - "Do you support the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize?" - persons who answered 'No' ranked up 80% of the voters, 17% went to those in favor of marijuana decriminalization and 2% were undecided.

Meanwhile, the committee charged with the duty of carrying out the evaluation and if appropriate, formulate proposals for the decriminalization of the possession of small quantities of marijuana encourages citizens to offer comments and recommendations to the committee via email address - [email protected].

PlusTV


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I am very surprised at those numbers. I would say that most people I have talked to, Belizeans and expats alike, are for the decriminalization of marijuana. The numbers that are represented by the TV polls seem inaccurate to me. Or perhaps most of the people that bothered to call in are those that are adamantly opposed to it.

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That could be it catdance62. The church groups and other opposing groups are quite vocal. I know I voted against. In the end it is those that bother to send in their letters for or against that will be considered by the committee. I have spoken to some that for for decriminalization - but most of the folks I spoke to are against. I guess it all depends who your friends are as to what direction the conversations takes.

I can see the reasons why folks would vote for it - to empty out the jail cells and free up the court system, but I think small crimes lead to bigger crimes and as with any rule they can be bent and twisted and manipulated.

I definitely think that we have much more important things to concentrate on including improving the judicial system's conviction rates and curbing the violence and gang culture that is spilling over into general society.

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More time to offer comments on marijuana decriminalization proposal

The discussion on the proposal to remove the criminal penalties for the possession of a small amount of Marijuana in Belize continues. [VO] And today the Committee set up by government to evaluate the feasibility of the decriminalization announced another extension of the deadline for the public to make submissions on the proposed decriminalization. The announced intention would be to remove the criminal penalties for the possession of ten grams of marijuana or less for personal use. In its announcement of the extension today, the Ministry of National Security listed a nine-point reference list of questions being considered during this evaluation period. It includes the question of just how much marijuana should be decriminalized, the penalties that should be levied upon first time offenders, the need for drug education, and whether the "decriminalization" of marijuana will increase, remain the same, or decrease the usage of marijuana both for adults and youths? The new deadline for the submission of comments and suggestions from the general public is now Friday, August thirty first. Comments are to be emailed to: [email protected]

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The Committee commissioned by the Minister of National Security to evaluate the issue of Decriminalization of Marijuana thanks those who submitted their opinions regarding a proposal to remove the current criminal penalties incurred for possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) for personal use. Your responses have been respectfully evaluated and taken into consideration, including, many requests to extend the deadline. In this regards the committee has extended the period for submitting your comments to August 31, 2012.

For the purpose of this discussion we invite your continued input and ask that you respond to us with your thoughts on the following:

  • 1. Should an amount of Marijuana be decriminalized? If yes, how much? (one gram of marijuana is equivalent to one standard size unfiltered cigarette)
  • 2. What penalties, in monetary fines and/or community service, should be levied upon first time offenders? Should these penalties remain the same for multiple offenses?
  • 3. Should mandatory drug education be required?
  • 4. Should the penalties for youths and adults be treated differently and if so, how and what age would you use to distinguish between the two?
  • 5. Do you believe that "decriminalization" of marijuana will increase, remain the same, or decrease the usage of marijuana both for adults and youths? Please submit data and references to support your position.
  • 6. Do you believe "decriminalization" will encourage minors to smoke marijuana? Why? Please submit data or references to support your position?
  • 7. Do you believe that marijuana is more or less harmful than alcohol and tobacco? Why?
  • 8. Do you believe that marijuana is the "gateway drug"? Why? What evidence do you have to support either position?
  • 9. What is your opinion on using for medicinal home remedies?

What other constraints, concerns or suggestions do you have with this proposal?

Please email your comments to [email protected].


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I can see the reasons why folks would vote for it - to empty out the jail cells and free up the court system, but I think small crimes lead to bigger crimes and as with any rule they can be bent and twisted and manipulated.

I definitely think that we have much more important things to concentrate on including improving the judicial system's conviction rates and curbing the violence and gang culture that is spilling over into general society. [/quote]

Spoken like a true bible thumping abstainer.
Do you drink?
Alcohol kills more people that all other drugs together.
The first part of your brain affected is decision-making, a couple of shots and people lose all inhibitions.
How many of you had your first sex, joint or snort when drunk, alcohol's the true gateway drug.
Even crack-heads are predictable, drunks are the most irrational and violent bunch of trouble-makers anywhere, period.
If there are "more important things to do" then decriminalize it and let the courts, jails, police deal with these "more important things".

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Pretty good example of someone unable to present their opinions and views on their merits without having to resort to personal attacks on people with opposing views. Pointing out the dangers and problems associated with one substance does not make the argument for legalizing another. It actually has the opposite effect. Bet he is a mean drunk, pot head, junkie or whatever. smirk

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Yah,
Bible thumper, how disgusting.
Mean pot-heads, a big problem, hang em all!

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Ideas and Opinions - Decriminalize Marijuana II

It is usually a good idea when you are going to consider a subject like this one to start with the status quo.
The Status Quo
 
Government decided that a list of drugs are prohibited and it is a crime to have them in your possession. Its decision is based on the fact that these drugs are considered to be harmful. Marijuana is on this list.
Despite this prohibition, the marijuana drug trade is thriving and, it is becoming more profitable for those who are engaged in it. In spite of the rising cost and the risk of going to jail, people continue to buy it, to their own destruction.
It is estimated that about 15% of our population smoke marijuana. That is 40,000 citizens. It seems to be the drug of choice for most users of prohibited drugs. We should know the number of marijuana users. We should know how it is dispersed according to age groups. We should know on the average what each group spends per annum to satisfy their habits. This should be public knowledge. Who should provide it? Perhaps NDACC.
I have to generalize because, the exact figure is not known but, a significant number of our young citizens are sent to jail each year for the possession of marijuana. They are users, not sellers. They take their own money to buy a substance which will do them harm. For that act, should a wise and concerned government make them criminals for life?
The figure is not known what is the total cost per annum of incarcerating marijuana users. But, the annual cost per inmate at Kolbe prison is $7,000.
We have amongst us, a religious sect called Rastafarians, who use marijuana in their religious rites. Does their Freedom of Religion right give them special privilege? If not, why not? They are peaceful and productive citizens, who have a right to their faith. No one has the right to judge another person’s faith because it seems strange to him. Yet, the law should be obeyed. All laws should be obeyed, even if they are bad laws. It is part of the Social Contract.
The Proposal
A few moths ago there was a proposal in this newspaper, that the possession of a small quantity of marijuana should be a minor, instead of a criminal, offense. Reasons were put forward in support of the proposal.
Since then a Committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Doug Singh, former Minister of National Security, to gather the positions and views of all sectors of the society on the proposal, to submit to government.
Since the establishment of the Committee, I have seen and heard the views and positions of the National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC), the Amandala columnist “Right to the Point” and the Editor of the Reporter. I would like to comment on the aforementioned opinions and state my position.
 
The NDACC
The National Drug Abuse Control Council reiterates its strong position against marijuana because of its harmful effects, which are catalogued. It is consistent in its condemnation of marijuana, as it is of all prohibited drugs, which is its raison d’etre. The job of the NDACC is to make our citizenry keenly aware of the prohibited drugs’ harmful effects. I think it is the duty of the NDACC also, to make us aware of the harmful effects of the abuse of legal drugs, such as alcohol. Let me point out that there are more accidents involving persons who are under the influence of alcohol than any other drug.
All right thinking citizens are glad that there is an NDACC. It has a very important function. That is to reduce the consumption of harmful drugs, whether legal or not. We would like it to succeed in its efforts. Has it been successful? If the use of harmful drugs is increasing, in spite of the fact that there is a law criminalizing them, it would be fair to say that the NDACC is failing. Not a pleasant prospect.
NDACC has a very laudable objective. I take it that it is well financed and, that it has a well trained and committed staff. They should be doing better.
The NDACC thinks that if marijuana use were decriminalized, it would encourage young people who do not now use it, to begin. There is no logic in that view. It is saying that they do not now use it because of their fear of going to jail but, wouldn’t mind paying a fine or performing community service. What if the community service was to clean drains?
If you notice, only a certain class of people go to jail for possession of small quantities of marijuana for personal use. Do you suppose that only that class use it?
There must be a way for us to discourage the use of drugs which have harmful effects. That is the NDACC’s mission. They have to try harder.
Right to the Point
My understanding of Mrs. Audrey Matura-Shepherd’s position is that decriminalizing marijuana use somehow serves the interest of the gangs. If it encourages gang members to make marijuana their drug of preference, I think it would have the opposite effect on their main activity, which is predatory, emphasizing violence. On the other hand, if they are dealers, they will be in the same position as before.
My understanding is that marijuana has a tranquilizing effect. That would not be conducive to gang activity.
       
The Reporter editorial
If I thought that what the highly respected editor says would be the outcome of decriminalizing the possession of a small quantity of marijuana for personal use, I would not have supported the proposal.
My position, which is shared by all my associates, is that the punishment for the declared offence, which is a jail term and a police record, condemns many young people who might otherwise become productive citizens, to a life of crime.
The editor speaks with great conviction and passion of what will happen to the society if the government accepts the proposal. My response is, that none of us would be able to say with any degree of certainty how our society will react to the proposed amendment to the law, if enacted, if there was no evidence of what happened in other societies where a similar proposal was adopted. Such evidence exists, and that evidence leads me to conclude that the concerns of the Reporter are laudable but, its fears are unfounded.
Conclusion
I have just finished reading a discussion paper on Cannabis prepared for the Canadian Senate Special Committee on illegal drugs.
The question is asked on page 4 of the paper: - Is Cannabis use a cause of crime? These are the two answers: -
1.   Cannabis use does not induce users to commit other crimes.
2.   Cannabis use does not increase aggressiveness or anti-social behaviour.
Of particular interest to the evaluation of the proposal to decriminalize marijuana use is this statement on page 9 of the Discussion Paper, to wit: Studies indicate that more liberal policy approaches have little effect on actually increasing or decreasing use patterns of cannabis.

Amandala


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To decriminalize it for those that use it is, IMO, a just move. I do not believe the punishement is appropriate for the action. I think the more important issue should be whether to legalize it or not. Decriminalizing it for those that use it and still making it illegal for the cartels and gangs to distribute it only perpetuates the violence and huge illegal profits.

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1. Should an amount of Marijuana be decriminalized? If yes, how much? (one gram of marijuana is equivalent to one standard size unfiltered cigarette)

Yes it should since so many people smoke it anyway and most are not criminals and just like to get high, personally I do not smoke weed however I enjoy a drink which could be considered more damaging that smoking a joint. I think the equivalent of a pack of 20 cigarettes should be allowed.

2. What penalties, in monetary fines and/or community service, should be levied upon first time offenders? Should these penalties remain the same for multiple offenses

I don't think there should be any penalties

3. Should mandatory drug education be required?

No it wont make a blind bit of difference to a pot smoker save the money and give it to Saga which would make more impact

4. Should the penalties for youths and adults be treated differently and if so, how and what age would you use to distinguish between the two?

Kids should not be smoking weed however just like cigarettes and Alcohol they will do if not monitored and that is the parents repsonsibility.


5. Do you believe that "decriminalization" of marijuana will increase, remain the same, or decrease the usage of marijuana both for adults and youths? Please submit data and references to support your position.

Wont make a BLIND BIT OF DIFFERENCE if it becomes legal of decrimanalized I wont be picking up a joint and those that are smoking weed wont suddenly smoke more.

6. Do you believe "decriminalization" will encourage minors to smoke marijuana? Why? Please submit data or references to support your position?

Listen any minor that wants to can already do it so it does not make any difference if they want to they will its available everywhere and very easy to procure. I currently live in a country that has the DEATH PENALTY for weed do you think that stops people ? ABSOLUTELY NOT I know many many people that still smoke even with those penalties.


7. Do you believe that marijuana is more or less harmful than alcohol and tobacco? Why?

Well its the same in my mind whatever toy choose to get your high I like Jack Daniels and that gets me way more fked up than a joint :)now from a health standpoint smoking cant be healthy but its the same to me as smoking cigs and drinking booze.

8. Do you believe that marijuana is the "gateway drug"? Why? What evidence do you have to support either position?

No I was married to a Pot head for 10 years never seen it make her jump to other drugs just because she smoked pot every day.

9. What is your opinion on using for medicinal home remedies?

I think there is enough proof out there to show that weed can help with terminally ill patients and if you ever see anyone who smokes pot you can see the lights are on, but no ones home smile

What other constraints, concerns or suggestions do you have with this proposal?

Just pass the bill and let people get on with what they are going to do anyway.

That is my view

Gaz Cooper

Last edited by Gaz Cooper; 08/11/12 12:12 PM.
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Why not give it the same status as tobacco?
People smoke much less of it by volume.
Let any entrepreneurs grow, sell, export.
Provide revenue with reasonable licenses fees and taxes.
This would effectively destroy the black market/cartels and consequent violence.
No one is shooting anyone over cigarettes.
It was legal in all the Latin countries before the US railroaded them with the threat of no foreign aid.
The prospect of dismantling the failed DEA and other Federal Agencies is I suspect the real reason nothing is done by the powers that be.

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This topic has been in the news off and on for years in California. Living so close to the "Emerald Triangle" here in Northern California, especially so. I have heard many a story of people being shot/threatened if they accidentally venture into someone's field. Because of the large amount of money generated, growers have taken to protection in the way of firearms and other forms of violence to protect their "livelihood".

To compare marijuana to alcohol is like comparing apples to oranges. Everywhere, you will hear about drunk drivers, alcohol causing and contributing to violent crimes (rape, robbery, homicide, etc). Rarely, if ever, do you see someone committing a violent crime where it is alleged that being under the influence of pot caused it. It is well documented that alcohol kills more people and causes more problems in almost all societies than any other drug, but that really is not the core issue.

I have no answer and no strong opinion one way or the other, but if marijuana is decriminalized, why not slap a sales tax on it, just like many other goods or services. Bet it would generate tons of dough! Maybe that tax income could be put to good use in some other fashion.

Someone must know the answer to this: Pot is legally for sale in Amsterdam. Wonder what their crime rates are and what they do, if anything with the income from weed.

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Senior Police Officers give opinion on decriminalization of marijuana

Late last month, the nation learnt via a press release from the Government of Belize's Ministry of National Security that it had authorized a committee to look into the decriminalization of marijuana.�Chairman of the committee and former Minister of Police, Dough Sing, told the media that the committee had been organized some time ago and is considering decriminalizing around 10grams of marijuana. The discussions have been ongoing on social media, radio talk shows and television. Plus TV's Louis Wade has added to the public discourse and while the three officers in command for the Cayo district was on Rise and Shine last week; the marijuana matter was discussed.

Chester Williams - Officer In Command San Ignacio and Santa Elena
The term that is used is decriminalization, some people tend to have a misconception between the word decriminalization and legalization. Based on what I've heard, what is being proposed is that rather than sending somebody to prison automatic who is caught with a small quantity of marijuana, they will be taken to court and the court will institute a fine, now that fine, if you do not pay that fine by a particular time given to you by the court, then the court will take out what is called a commitment warrant for you and you will still go to prison. Now, what is the case right now? Right now the case is, if you are caught with a small quantity of marijuana, you go to court, the court slaps you with a fine and give you a time to pay, if you do not pay within the particular time you go to prison.
��
There has been a common misconception of what the committee is trying to do as many believe that persons will be allowed to smoke marijuana freely and have greater amounts of marijuana on their person and not be charged. Williams says not so.�

Chester Williams - Officer In Command San Ignacio and Santa Elena�
Some people tends to want to believe that the proposed amendment to the law will allow people to have 10grams of marijuana on their possession or will allow people to smoke marijuana openly in public. That is not the case, if you are caught even, let's say for example the government decides to decriminalize marijuana if you are caught with 0.01grams of cannabis you will still be arrested and charged because the law will still remain for possession of control drugs, it will still be a controlled drug, so the law will still be there to govern that, to govern any person who have in their possession any control drug will still be subject to be arrested� and charged by the police and taken to court. The only difference that is being proposed is that rather than the court instituting a imprisonment, incarceration in the first instance, you will be allowed to pay a fine, and if you can't pay the fine, you still go to prison.
�
Officer in Charge for the City of Belmopan Police formations says that he believe it's going to open a door to more illegal activities and users.�

Alvan Gentle - OIC City of Belmopan
I do believe that although Mr. Williams right said that people will still be held accountable but then at the same time I believe that there will be some people who will take that as a license so to speak to go and get involved with this sort of activity, which will and does and will continue to have an effect on our social life as such. Young people out there, I believe and like I said this is my opinion, I believe there will be more young people more brazen in the schools, at home, everywhere because yes although they know that does not hinder the police from arresting and charging you but then you know what I believe that they will say, okay well, maybe I just get a little slap on the wrist or I just get a little caution as such, but if there is not a deterrent as such, if there is not a way of saying you know what if you do this, this is what will happen to you, no if, buts or maybe then people will abuse, like anything else.
�
If you want to be involved in the decision making Citizens can make comments to the committee via an email address [email protected]. Plus TV also encourages its viewers to copy their comments to [email protected] so that we could get a firsthand perspective of what Belizeans are telling the Decriminalization Committee. The deadline to have your say in the matter is at the end of this month.

PlusTV


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Will decriminalization of Marijuana reduce Police and Court work?

A committee has been commissioned with the responsibility of galvanizing the general consensus of the Belize society in regards to decriminalizing 10grams of marijuana. Plus TV's Louis Wade has added to the public discourse. Wade asked law enforcement officials if they are aware of any instance where a person was caught with marijuana; (not of a commercial quantity) for the first time and that individual was jailed.
�
OIC San Ignacio Santa Elena - Chester Williams
There are several factors Mr. Wade that the court take into consideration when passing sentence on a person. The court will first and foremost look at the persons criminal history and if the person have a long criminal history, yes at first instance that person can go to prison.

Louis Wade - Plus TV
You know of any instance recently where that has happen?

OIC San Ignacio Santa Elena - Chester Williams
Yes, Yes when I was a Court prosecutor I�.

Louis Wade - Plus TV

How long ago??

OIC San Ignacio Santa Elena - Chester Williams

I was a court prosecutor in Dangriga 1999 to 2001

Louis Wade - Plus TV

Thank you very much, Superintendent Moody same question.

OIC Benque Viejo - Supt. Moody

There's none I know of

Louis Wade - Plus TV

Superintendent Gentle same question.

OIC City of Belmopan - Supt. Alvan Gentle

I don't know of any person who on first occasion have been sentence to prison. I know that they have been fined and like what Mr. Williams explained earlier, if that fine is not paid within a period of time. then a commitment warrant issued for that person and then he or she is taken to prison.

�Many persons are of the opinion that decriminalizing a larger amount of marijuana will lead to more adolescent first time users of the drug and that it will not in any way lessen the burden when it comes to the handling of such cases by police officers� .

MARIJUANA INSERT 2
...�the court will institute a fine, now that fine, if you do not pay that fine by a particular time given to you by the court, then the court will take out what is called a commitment warrant for you and you will still go to prison. Now, what is the case right now? Right now the case is, if you are caught with a small quantity of marijuana, you go to court, the court slaps you with a fine and give you a time to pay, if you do not pay within the particular time you go to prison.���
�
Again if you want to be involved in the decision making Citizens can make comments to the committee via an email address [email protected]. Plus TV also encourages its viewers to copy their comments to [email protected] so that we could get a firsthand perspective of what Belizeans are telling the Decriminalization Committee. The deadline for all comments is until August 31.

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Actually, Marijuana should be distributed to the Gangs instead of monthly stipends. The ancillary benefits would be manifold. Gang activity would drop dramatically while the sale of cable TV subscriptions and snack foods would skyrocket.

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Teachers Say Don't Legalize It

The Belize National Teachers Union has come out against the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.

A release from the union today says quote, "BNTU considers the idea as pre-mature and dangerous. The negative effect of its use on the body, especially the brain and rational behavior, far outweighs its known medicinal uses."

It adds that quote, "government's inability to control and monitor its use and supply will lead to more health and behavioral problems for our teachers, parents, law-enforcement officers and society as a whole�" end quote.

The BNTU proposes that a DRUG EDUCATION programme be introduced as early as Std. III or IV at the Primary level.

Channel 7

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Ideas and Opinions - Marijuana IV

by Janus

There should never have been a law which made marijuana use a crime. And, there would never have been such a law if the citizens of Belize were able to make their views heard in favor or against. The British Administration made that law when Belize was a Crown Colony and the Governor, Financial Secretary, Colonial Secretary, Attorney General and Accountant General comprised the Executive Council and dominated the Legislative Council. There were no Committees, to which Bills for an Act were submitted for consideration and report.

I can imagine a conversation between the Governor and the Colonel Secretary which went like this: Governor to C.S.: "We have to make a law to stop this 'coolie' weed smoking habit from spreading to the rest of the native population." C.S. to Governor: "I'd get the A.G. to draft an Ordinance." Story done. They didn't know of any harmful effects then, except that the East Indians began to think and act as if they were everybody's equal.

Marijuana is the leaf of the Cannabis plant, dried and crushed. Perfectly natural, nothing added or taken away. People roll it in paper and smoke it like in cigarette. They like the effect it has on them. It has harmful effects which have been documented. It is not more harmful than alcohol, which is lawful. If you put any fruit in a container, with or without water, cover it and let it lie, it will eventually ferment and form wine, with a low alcoholic content. Through the process of distillation, some fermented substances, like the juice of sugarcane, become rum, with as high an alcoholic content as you wish. You are free to drink as much rum or vodka or gin as you wish, regardless of their alcoholic content and, regardless of how much harm you do to yourself.

A man goes to a party to celebrate a victory in sports or in politics. The mood is jubilant. Drinks flow freely. The party ends long after midnight and everybody is high. Driving on the way home, he has a momentary lapse of judgment and there is an accident. Is that a harmful effect? Friends are at a bar drinking liquor. There is ill feeling between two of them, over a real or imagined insult. They get into an argument, ending in a fight. One stabs the other with a broken battle. Is that a harmful effect?

For many years, a man lives high on a cliff with a wonderful view of the sea. There is a "waterhole" where he and friends get together to have fun on weekends. He has walked home a hundred times near the cliff's edge, in all the stages between sobriety and inebriation, but, this time, he stumbles and falls over the edge. Is that a harmful effect? Perhaps not, perhaps, they are only consequential but, I can't think of similar things happening to weed smokers. Marijuana is less harmful than alcohol.

There is a certain television station which has made it a cause celebr� to persuade its listeners to oppose the proposal which I and my associates have advocated, that is, that the law should be amended to make the possession of a small quantity of marijuana, a lesser offence than a crime. Plus T.V. seems to be the most informed of the harmful effects of marijuana use. The religious body Plus T.V. represents, along with other church groups, oppose the proposal to decriminalize, stating their reasons for their position. The Belize National Teachers Union is also against decriminalization, giving for their reason that marijuana is a gateway drug. I think the reasons given are valid in opposition to the legalization of marijuana, but not against the proposal to decriminalize.

I think the strongest argument against decriminalization would be negative experiences of countries which have taken this step. Sixteen countries and fourteen states in the USA have decriminalized the drug. Twelve more American states have legislation pending in their Congresses. None of the administrations which have taken this action have changed their minds despite the rumor that one or more of them have considered or are considering. Clearly, the trend is in favor of decriminalization and, it is reasonable to believe that the trend will continue because, the law, as it stands, has done and is doing more harm than good.

People have been giving free rein to their imagination in newspaper writings, predicting dire consequences to the society if marijuana is decriminalized. When, all we have to do is find out the experiences of countries which have taken this step. Is this responsible journalism? Here is an example of responsible journalism.

I submit excerpts from:- The Impact of Marijuana Decriminalization: An Update
Author: Eric W. Single
Source: Journal of Public Health Policy
Published by: Palgrave MacMillan Journals

The dual purpose of marijuana policy

"Marijuana policy has two goals: to minimize health and safety hazards associated with use, and to minimize the social cost and adverse individual consequences that result from attempts to control use."

The effects of decriminalization: Initial evaluations

"In the decade prior to the enactment of 'decriminalization' laws, with the risk of arrests very low and marijuana readily available, trends in use appear to have been relatively unaffected by the existing criminal laws against possession. Under these circumstances, one would expect, 'decriminalization' to result in minimal changes in the number of users, while reducing the social costs and adverse individual consequences of criminalization. The available evidence supports this conclusion. Decriminalization measures have had little or no impact on rates of use but, they have substantially reduced the social costs associated with the enforcement of marijuana laws."

I would like to recommend Mr. Single's article for reading by those who are for or against decriminalization. You will be better informed on the subject, even if you remain steadfast in your original position.

I would like my government to consider the pros and cons of this question very carefully, as they usually do and, have the courage of their conviction to act, if they favor the affirmative, which has not been the practice in developing countries.

As a matter of interest, there are two countries where marijuana is illegal but, the law is not enforced, as a matter of public policy. The countries are India and Cambodia.

This is a note about the practice in India: "Despite the high prevalent usage, the law makes it illegal to possess any form of the psychoactive. However, this law is rarely enforced and, is treated as a low priority across India.

Some years ago, in a moment of resolution, a former Prime Minister gave an order to the Ministry of National Security to stop enforcing the law against Cannabis as rigorously as they were accustomed. He backed off when a few prominent members of the legal fraternity challenged his authority. We would be in a far better position now, if he had had the courage of his conviction.

Amandala


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Ideas and Opinions - Marijuana V

Let me be clear, I don't support smoking marijuana because it is against the law and, it is the duty of a citizen to obey the law, even if it has no moral justification. I wouldn't drink liquor, which I find enjoyable, if it was still against the law. But, I think it is the duty of the citizen to be well-informed on the issue of harmful drugs, in general, and marijuana, in particular because of its prevalent use. I don't think that you will be well-informed if you rely on Plus TV and local newspaper articles for information.

The issue on this subject, which has been before the public these past few weeks, has been decriminalization. There has been strong objection to this proposal in certain quarters but, all the cogent arguments I have seen and heard are against legalization, rather than decriminalization of marijuana use. The proposal is to make marijuana use a lesser offence than a crime punishable by a jail term. How can anyone who understands that habits are formed by young people based on those they associate with, not support decriminalization. The reason you don't smoke marijuana is because your friends didn't. It could have been otherwise. You should say, "There but for the grace of God go I."

I am confident that when all the facts are in, the Government of Belize will decriminalize marijuana because, it is the reasonable, the sensible and the right thing to do. But that will not be the end. Then, the real battle, which those who are against decriminalization, might have been fighting before it was joined, will begin. They will have to advance some better arguments than the horror tales they have been telling and saying that marijuana is a "gateway" to harder drugs.

Please believe me that I do not support marijuana use. I am against any drug which changes people's behavior. I think that marijuana is the least harmful of all the drugs that groups use to induce conviviality, including alcohol. But, I have no right to consider their use a crime and, neither do you and, neither does the state.

Allow me to diverge. This whole business of the state deciding to compel good behavior by making foolish behavior, criminal, began with the Prohibition laws against alcohol because of its harmful effects. How else can we describe the thinking of the American lawmakers who started this but, as an attack of temporary insanity. They returned to sanity some years later, when they found that the laws did more harm than good, and revoked them. Has alcohol lost its harmful effects? Not at all but, the lawmakers found that they would be more successful in their objection by exercising control through regulation and taxation. Then, they found that there were other substances, more potent than alcohol, which changed people's behavior, like angel dust, acid, and cocaine and they had attack on the mind, as before. They made a list of prohibited drugs, to which they added marijuana, declared the users criminals, established the Drug Enforcement Administration, appointed a Drug Czar, and declared a war on drugs. After many years and countless casualties, the war continues unabated, as the forces of the ungodly get richer and more powerful due to the operation of a higher law called the Law of Supply and Demand.

I have to diverge again to ask a question. Why would you put a man who does acid or smokes crack cocaine in jail? Such a man belongs in an institution to be taken care of, because he is incapable of taking care of himself.

What is to be done about marijuana? If the objective is to discourage its use, there is a better way to do it than by putting users in jail. That way will be discovered when all the facts are in, for and against, legalization. We live in the information age and, all the information is available for those who seek it.

Let me diverge, once more. When something is going to happen and the efforts of all who are against it are bound to fail, we refer to that event as "inevitable." A prominent attorney recently said that same sex marriage was inevitable in Belize. I say, "Not before marijuana is legalized." My position is based on the fact that copulation between members of the male sex cannot be recognized as a human right in a country which affirms the Supremacy of God.

Let's assume that marijuana is legalized. In the present system, the producers sell to the dealers (distributors) and they sell to runners (retailers.) Nothing is wrong with this system. Government would have to issue licenses to producers and distributors. Hopefully, they will share this pie equitably between Red and Blue businessmen. If they don't, reasons will be found to cancel licenses when there is a change of government. It is hard to imagine how big and lucrative the marijuana business pie could be. In five years time, the most successful businessmen should be millionaires. It is suggested that government revenue come from a single tax at source, i.e., the producers. The figure that comes to mind is five dollars per ounce. That would be four hundred dollars per pound and twenty million dollars on fifty thousand pounds of produce.

It would need a better quality agency than the one we have, to exercise control, enforce regulations and collect the revenue. Perhaps a Department of the Treasury might have to be established.

Not to forget that the primary purpose of legalizing marijuana is to discourage its use and also to reduce the abuse of harmful drugs, whether legal or not. A portion of the expected revenue should be earned earmarked to make the National Drug Abuse Control Council more effective.

Another thing. We have to do something to help drug addicts. It is heartbreaking to see once respectable, productive citizens become alcoholics, or worse, crackheads. Some of that revenue from the tax on marijuana could be used to establish an institution to rehabilitate drug addicts. By the way, isn't marijuana supposed to be addictive? Where are the marijuana derelicts?

These are some of the benefits to be gained from legalizing marijuana:-

1. There will be considerable savings on public expenditure associated with the apprehension, trial and incarceration of citizens engaged in the marijuana trade.

2. The police will be able to devote more time and energy to dealing with violent crimes, including murder and armed robbery, burglaries, stealing and juvenile delinquency. A lot of juvenile crime is unreported, which encourages the young miscreants in their activities.

3. It will give peace of mind to a large number of our citizens who, whether they accept or not, are criminals under our law.

4. The reestablishment of marijuana plantations in Belize will make the importation of supplies from Mexico and Guatemala unnecessary, thus saving substantial foreign exchange.

Legalization would not mean approval. Employers, sporting associations, the Public Service, the Belize Defence Force, etc., etc., would still have the right to make rules governing admission, suspension, and dismissal for marijuana users.

I think that this will be my last essay on this subject, unless marijuana were legalized, then, I will have my say about how legalization should be implemented.

Amandala


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P.M. Barrow gives update on legalizing marijuana

Prime Minister Dean Barrow Central American leaders, including Prime Minister Dean Barrow, say that the decision by two U.S. states last week to legalize marijuana will have important implications for efforts to fight smuggling in this region. Prime Minister Barrow says the concerns focus primarily on the war against international crime and in particular narco-trafficking.

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William Conde and the "unjust and unholy" war against marijuana

In the future they will look back in shock and dismay at the injustices that we have endured under this draconian prohibition.

Dear Editor,

Last Tuesday's USA election saw two states legalize marijuana for use by those who are 21 years of age or older.

I must say, it is way past due. Because of this, this Monday, November12, Prime Minister Dean Barrow met in Mexico City with President Calderón of Mexico, Costa Rica's President Laura Chinchilla and Honduras' President Porfirio Lobo, to discuss the failed war on drugs and what should be done.

Let me help you guys: PLEASE, STOP THE WAR. You are using violence and threats of violence to control peaceful natural human behavior. The truth will set you free.

So, what's the truth, folks? Oh, there are so many we can't discuss them all here, but let me help you understand some truths.

1. Ezekiel 34:29: "I will rise up for them a plant of renown."

2. The true breakthrough of the earth's most environmentally sound raw material source (fiber and oil).

3. The creation of, possibly, man's greatest economic engine.

4. Over half of all the trees cut on earth today are to be made into paper. Hemp makes better paper using fewer chemicals and grows organically on a farm, in just three months.

5. The oil from the seed can be used instead of crude oil, and only takes 3 months to replenish, not millions of years, and it is non-toxic to the environment and you.

This is just a letter to the editor and I can't carry on like a novel, so I might suggest people Google "industrial hemp," and oh yea, while they are at it, may I also suggest they go to "bible.com" then, using their favorite version, do a search on the word "herb."

Even though it is illegal almost everywhere in the world today, it is still the number one or two cash crop, in most countries, as this is being written.

Something you must understand: even though marijuana is this incredible cash crop (BZ$200 to $800 per lb. here in Belize and up to US$4,000 a lb. in the US), that the industrial hemp crop dwarfs marijuana when it comes to world market demand and total market cash value. It was a raw material for over 25,000 products in 1935, before it was made against the law, and can be used today for countless more.

Not only has this unjust, unholy declared war cost us trillions of dollars worldwide and ruined millions of lives and negatively impacted billions more, but it has stopped us from using one of nature's most incredible resources.

It has not only cost us money out of our pockets and love from our spirit, but it has stopped us from being able to create untold wealth for ourselves. If you see it as unclean, then for you it is unclean, but as for me, it is a holy plant and a blessing to mankind. Only those unenlightened condemning souls absent of God's love could wish to continue this war on their own people.

We do live in a democracy, thank God, and the government is to represent us, the people. We are not brain-dead idiots and do not wish to be treated as such anymore. All those who would wish to continue this unjust, unholy war against the people, understand, what you are doing is wrong and Christ will forgive you, but mankind might not.

Remember, peace and love
Give peace a chance
William Conde

Letter to the Editor, Amandala


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Why not do it, 3 States in the US just past State laws to make recreational marijuana legal. It's going to become more and more accepted. Once it is legal everywhere in the States, the Gov will jump in and start taxing it and making money off of it. I'm a retired cop and don't smoke, but I think if it is a legal substance there will be less crime.

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Uruguay MPs back marijuana legalisation bill
Members of Uruguay's House of Representatives have passed a bill to legalise marijuana.


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If it goes on to be approved by the Senate, Uruguay will become the first country to regulate the production, distribution and sale of marijuana.The measure is backed by the government of President Jose Mujica, who says it will remove profits from drug dealers and divert users from harder drugs. Under the bill, only the government would be allowed to sell marijuana. The state would assume "the control and regulation of the importation, exportation, plantation, cultivation, the harvest, the production, the acquisition, the storage, the commercialisation and the distribution of cannabis and its by-products". Buyers would have to be registered on a database and be over the age of 18. They would be able to buy up to 40g (1.4oz) per month in specially licensed pharmacies or grow up to six plants at home. Foreigners would be excluded from the measure.

Political tussle
The bill was approved by 50 of the 96 MPs present in the lower house following a fierce 13-hour debate in the capital, Montevideo. The supporters of the measure argued that the fight against drugs and drug trafficking had failed, and the country needed "new alternatives". "The regulation is not to promote consumption; consumption already exists," said Sebastian Sabini of the governing centre-left Frente Amplio (Broad Front) coalition, which has a majority of one in the lower house. Marijuana use has reportedly doubled in Uruguay over the past year. An estimated 22 tonnes of marijuana are being sold in the country annually, according to Uruguay's National Drugs Committee. But Gerardo Amarilla of the opposition National Party said the government was "playing with fire" given the health risks he said were linked to marijuana use.

All eyes were on Dario Perez, a member of the governing coalition but a strong opponent of the bill, whose vote could have scuppered the bill. During his 20-minute speech, Mr Perez reiterated his belief that the issue should be put to a referendum and not have been "imposed" by the government. But to applause by supporters of the bill in the public gallery, he finally concluded that as long as he was a member of the coalition, he would vote with it, despite his personal misgivings. The bill is now expected to be approved by the Senate, where the left-wing government has a bigger majority. But opposition politicians said that even if the law made it through the senate, they would launch a petition to have it overturned. A survey carried out before the vote by polling organisation Cifra suggested 63% of Uruguayans opposed the bill.

Papal opposition
The progress of the bill is being watched closely across the region, says BBC Mundo correspondent in the region Ignacio de los Reyes. For decades, drug trafficking has caused tens of thousands of deaths throughout Latin America. Uruguay may have not experienced the bloodshed caused by drug trafficking, but the proposal could be seen as a test for violence-torn nations looking for an end to their drug wars, our correspondent adds. The vote also comes just days after Pope Francis criticised drug legalisation plans during a visit to neighbouring Brazil. The pontiff said it was "necessary to tackle the problems which are at the root of drug abuse, promoting more justice, educating the youth with the values that live in society, standing by those who face hardship and giving them hope for the future".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23516966


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MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION STILL ON THE TABLE

A report coming out of Mexico this week indicated that a lobby for the decriminalization of marijuana is being supported by a broad cross-section of people, including ex-ministers and businessmen, on the claim that such a move would curb violence and corruption.

Here in Belize, the Government is still looking at options for decriminalization, although no final decision has been taken.

Last year, Belize began proposing the decriminalization of up to 10 grams of marijuana. Chairman of the Marijuana Decriminalization Committee, Doug Singh, told Amandala today that he hopes to have the final report submitted to Cabinet by the end of the year; and he will recommend to the Government that the report should simultaneously be made public.

Singh has previously emphasized that "�the proposal is not to legalize the offence, thereby purging it of all its penalties; it is merely to reduce and regulate."

Today, he said that the report will also look at the various definitions that could be used for the reform, including the suggestion that it should be called a de-penalization.

The Committee has been accepting public comments, and it has been meeting with key interest groups, including the churches - some of which have reservations that the decriminalization could lead to the perception of permissiveness for the use of marijuana, Singh told us.

He said that they hope to consult next week with the Belize Medical and Dental Association and the Belize Bar Association.

Singh acknowledged having received over 100 e-mails indicating objection to the decriminalization of marijuana.

The current proposal calls for Belize to decriminalize the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana, which would be subject to fines, mandatory drug education and no imprisonment. Currently, the possession of under 60 grams of marijuana is a criminal offence and punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to three years imprisonment.

In expressing its broad support for the proposal, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has proposed that "legal possession be reduced to 5 grams."

Last September, the president of the Belize National Teachers Union, Luke Palacio, expressed his reservations, and the union had issued a statement that referred to "the negative effect of its use on the body, especially the brain and rational behavior," which, it said, "far outweighs its known medicinal uses."

Singh told us that the report will include a short section on the medical uses, with information provided by Dr. Rosito Arvigo, who had understudied Belizean herbalist Don Elijio Panti (deceased). However, the proposal does not entail the legalization of marijuana for medical use.

Amandala


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War On Drugs Has Fundamental Problems.

Like *Where is the compelling governmental interest?

I look at a recent eye opener. The case of the one legged man receiving six months for 1/10 of a gram of cannabis. Yea I know he had committed similar violations of the law in the past and still owed money. Last I recall the courts had fined him $10,000 for a past similar violation. How does a one legged man pay such a fine? This is only one example of casualties in this war on the people. With all that said and understood, what are we looking at here. What is the cost in time and money in just this one case. I can't tell you that but I can tell you the cost of the cannabis involved. Let's see what 1/10 of a gram of cannabis is, in the material world. Pretty much $35.00 an ounce in most places in rural Belize. OK 28.3 grams in an ounce. $35.00 divided by 28.3 grams in an ounce = $1.24 per gram. 1/10 of a gram is twelve and one half cents. So we engaged a number of police, prosecutors, lawyers, judges and finally the housing of this criminal for six months over 12 � cents worth of cannabis. The utter absurdity of such a failure of and in the system is just another nail in the coffin of prohibition. Drug war a total failure and incredible waste of time and money. Stand up and be counted. Don't worry you're in the majority now. Speak the truth and shoot your arrows straight. Understand this is the most giving plant on the planet. It is not a demon, it is sacred and a blessing. Believe me when I tell you much of that blessing comes in the form of material wealth and spiritual up lifting for those who have lived under constant fear the man will come and take you away.

Ezekiel-"I will rise up for them a plant of renown."

Sorry for you if you see it as unclean because for you it will be unclean. But for me it is a blessing. Go figure.

Stop The War and Receive The Blessing
William Conde belizehemp.com

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WEED AND WHITE SUPREMACY

When the anti-colonial movement began in British Honduras in 1950, the dominant presence in the local economy was that of the Belize Estate and Produce Company, Limited, known to us here as "BEC." BEC owned incredible amounts of prime real estate and raw land all over the colony, and it was really as if they were the business extension of the colonial administration the British Empire ran from Government House.

Because of the fact that they were working partners with Government House and because BEC had grown out of the rule of the Baymen in the settlement of Belize, Belizeans hardly thought of BEC as "foreign direct investors." But, technically, BEC would have to be categorized as such by modern PUDP politicians and their economists.

Those of us in the resistance movement, on the other hand, would describe BEC as a predator organization, because they brought little investment into Belize, and they exported all their profits to Britain. In fact, the British peer who came here in 1985 was quite similar to BEC: he brought little investment and exported all of his profits. For decades, however, he was dubbed as a "foreign direct investor." And, he was favored by both the PUP and the UDP.

The beneficial area of these predatory activities of colonial and post-colonial days was that they created some employment amongst Belizean natives. Their respective employees were, of course, loyal to BEC and to the British peer. The reality of job creation provided the opportunity for some local politicians and other domestic collaborators to extol the activities of both BEC and the British peer. But, the sober reality is that both BEC and the British peer were operating in a territory which was ruled under the umbrella of white supremacy, which is a racist and exploitative philosophy.

In assisting BEC and the British peer, Belizeans who did so were collaborating in the continuation and furtherance of local and international white supremacy. This was not a sin they were committing: such natives were only trying to survive and to improve themselves within the existing, repressive socio-economic climate. Where such natives became counter-revolutionary, however, is when they began to conceive of themselves as superior local beings and to look down upon those of their brethren and sistren who, not having gained access to the BEC and British peer job opportunities, were resisting BEC and British peer rule in different ways.

This last sentence is important for you to consider, because it is the platform from which we will move (even if you condemn such a move as a bold jump) to the fact that within the white supremacist world of BEC and the British peer, the recreational drug of choice and legality was alcohol, its finest brands being those of the various imported Scotch whiskeys. Rum was roots alcohol, but it was also legal, because it was alcohol.

When Belizeans at the base of the socio-economic pyramid began to smoke weed for their "working class and unemployed" recreational purposes, most of the weed smoking was taking place "'cross Yabra bridge." The feeling of the native population in the old capital city east of Yabra bridge, was that " 'cross Yabra bridge" was a different world, a world where colonial policing was less in evidence, and where colonial police only ventured when seeking suspects of specific, major criminal acts.

So then, you could say there were two different worlds in one city. There was the old capital city, where whiskey and rum ruled, and there was "'cross Yabra bridge," where some people smoked weed. Suddenly, at least two different developments took place in the mid-1960s in Belize. One was that a few daring young residents of the old capital began venturing "'cross Yabra bridge" to smoke weed "da South." The other development was that an incredibly talented and progressive music combo originated "'cross Yabra bridge" and began coming east across the bridge to conquer the old capital. This was the Messengers, led by saxophonists Pete Matthews and Bill Belisle, and featuring Chuck Gladden on guitar and Ulloyd Henderson on vocals. The Messengers, by and large, were smokers of weed.

In the old capital, the respectable element who collaborated with white supremacy, had unconditionally condemned weed smoking, and because of that condemnation they shunned the Messengers. At the same time, these same respectable Belizeans were tolerating the noise, violence and social dysfunction of all the alcohol bars and clubs in the old capital because our rulers had legalized alcohol, and "Massa" was always right. They were not revolutionary enough to see past the hypocrisy of Massa's discriminating laws, and so the sensational Messengers were soon lost to Belize's music and culture. You are supposed to drink liquor, nigger, not smoke weed. This is as the white rulers and their native collaborators have decreed. There was no discussion before this was decreed, and there has been no debate since.

In independent, third millennium Belize, our youth continue to be beaten, fined and incarcerated for smoking a herb of the earth, because of a law written by white supremacy and supported by white supremacy's native collaborators. In the kingdoms of white supremacy, meanwhile, they are smoking weed legally in many of their cities, and it is clear to us opponents of white supremacy that as soon as white supremacy sufficiently controls the production of the weed itself, then white supremacy will actually declare the weed legal. And in Belize, white supremacy's native collaborators will then say, Amen. It was always about the money, you see. It is written.

Amandala

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Marijuana decriminalization moving forward

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Douglas Singh

From the time when he was Minister of Police and Public Safety, Douglas Singh has led the charge to a consideration of decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

He said today that the effort is moving forward, but it will have to do so without him as he is now quite busy.

According to Singh the committee is gathering information from interested parties including the trade unions.

Singh says Belize hopes to beat Jamaica to the punch on the decriminalization issue by the end of the year.

Patrick Jones

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Marijuana Decriminalization Moving Forward

From the time when he was Minister of Police and Public Safety, Douglas Singh has led the charge to a consideration of decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. He said today that the effort is moving forward, but it will have to do so without him as he is now quite busy.

Douglas Singh- Former Minister of Police and Public Safety

"It is more the latter that is entirely my friend. In fact, I have made a decision that I was pretty much the person in the committee, and I think it is time for me to step aside to leave one of the other people in the committee to take a lead. We are almost there. We have some issues; I think the recommendation has already been typed up, so to speak, and there are some presentation issues. We want to ensure that we have responses from some of the responsible parties that we had solicited this from. One of them, the arguments that stood strong was from the Unions- the teacher's unions, to be specific. We had one that probably was the most vibrant and interesting meeting in the teacher's union and they were very different or differing positions in that meeting; we wanted that to be articulated on play per problems so that we could probably represent their points of view in the document. It is important to do so. I think that every biddy understands that we were very responsible in the process. We have not gotten that. I think two months ago or so, the Union was very active and so its activities down south that what because it is countrywide, so many didn't get the kind of feedback that we want. So, it's still a matter of trying to get some help and to bring the document".

Singh says Belize hopes to beat Jamaica to the punch on the decriminalization issue by the end of the year.

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Uruguay to sell marijuana legally

Uruguay will begin to produce and sell marijuana legally but people will be restricted to how much they can access. Licensed pharmacies will sell the drug for less than $1 a gram, with consumers allowed 40g (1.4oz) a month.

Under the new bill, each family will be allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants, and that marijuana may be consumed in the same spaces as tobacco, except at workplaces. Drivers caught "smoke-driving" will be subject to the same penalties as those under the influence of alcohol.

One gramme of marijuana would cost between 20 and 22 pesos or little less than $1 US. The Uruguayan government estimates that the current marijuana demand at between 18 and 22 tonnes, which would equate to about 10 hectares of cannabis plantations.

Uruguay's government hopes the bill will help tackle drug cartels, but naysayers say it will expose more people to drugs. A recent UN report criticised the legalisation of drugs, saying it posed a health danger.

President Jose Mujica, who proposed the bill, says the new law should take effect early next week.

Uruguay became the first country in the world to make marijuana growth, sale and consumption legal last year.

Reuters


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Legalize or Decriminalization!

By G. Michael Reid

In June 2004, then Assistant Commissioner of Police Maureen Leslie sent what was supposed to have been an internal memo to her commanders. The memo reminded commanders of a change in policy which recommended more discretion when charging, in particular young people, who are found in possession of 2 grams or less of marijuana. The policy made perfect sense but was for the most part being ignored. Marijuana busts are safe and easy to make and it gives Police Officers a chance to come off the streets, hang around the office and do paperwork until their shift ends. Somebody within the department leaked the memo to the press and what ensued was later described as "a storm of controversy". At the time, everything was being leaked to the press even matters discussed in Cabinet and everything was turned political. Objection to the directive was fierce, in particular from the then Opposition, and it seemed that those objections were sustained. Things went on per normal and the ridiculous prosecution of persons for even tiny quantities of marijuana, a few seeds even at times, seemed to intensify instead of letting up. It might be time for us to take a second look at these ridiculous laws which cause much harm and does little good in the improvement of our quality of life.

Evidently, a big reason for our stringent enforcement of laws against marijuana is precipitated by pressure coming to bear from the United States. This in itself ranks of staunch hypocrisy. As early as 1973, twelve states of the US including Oregon, Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oregon have in some manner altered their existing laws to reduce the penalties for marijuana possession. A number of states have decriminalized marijuana to varying degrees while most states have created exemptions specifically for medical use of marijuana. Two states, Colorado and Washington, have totally legalized the recreational use of marijuana following the approval of state referenda in the 2012 elections. Those states have reported huge financial benefits and propositions in Oregon and California which barely failed in their previous effort are once again on the ballot. The state of Maryland recently passed legislation that decriminalized possession of 10 grams or less and simultaneously created a medical cannabis regulatory framework to dispense marijuana to patients and caregivers in the state. New York and Minnesota have also passed medical marijuana laws.

Again, these measures were being put in place from as early as 1973 but yet, as late as 1984, shortly after being elected to office for the first time, the United Democratic Party called in the US and gave them permission to destroy marijuana fields in Belize. At the time, Belize was producing some of the best marijuana and the Belize Breeze was highly coveted, especially in the US. The destruction of the fields was carried about by the spraying of a deadly chemical known as paraquat. Interestingly enough, in 1983, the year before they came to spray in Belize, the US had banned the use of Paraquat in its own national forests citing serious environmental concerns. Reliable medical studies prove Paraquat to be exceedingly toxic to human beings, animals and the environment. According to one medical report, "Breathing in Paraquat causes lung damage and can lead to a disease called Paraquat lung. Paraquat causes damage to the body when it touches the lining of the mouth, stomach, or intestines. You can get sick if Paraquat touches a cut on your skin. Paraquat can also damage to the kidneys, liver, and esophagus."

Then Prime Minster Manuel Esquivel apparently had some reservations and had this to say in an interview conducted at the Belize Mission at the UN in 1984, "While we share the American concern about the drug problem, because it is our problem as well, we feel that we have an obligation to proceed responsibly. If you say that aerial eradication is the only efficient way to do it, O.K. We just want to make sure that whatever we do will not be to our detriment." Mr. Esquivel went to wax prophetic as he stated that "For example we have a growing honeybee industry, and it is felt that if we were to spray paraquat over a wide area, particularly in the north, where we have a lot of honeybees, that we run the risk of destroying that industry." Esquivel even recommended another chemical called "glyphosate" which he claimed tests had proven to be less damaging to honeybees.He ended his interview by exclaiming, "Well, we'll see." Boy, did we ever see!

In an interview given to Channel Seven television just last week, long time bee farmer Daniel Gutierrez of San Ignacio had this to say "I have worked more than 30 years with the bees and at the time when we started out we were producing up to 60 drums of honey for the year. After we were wiped out after they had this eradication of marijuana fields - that (is) when they wiped out all the bee hives and from then it never came back." The pressure from the US was apparently too great to withstand or the compensation too irresistible because in less than a year, 80 percent of all of our marijuana fields had been sprayed and much of our pristine jungles lay saturated with paraquat. Our "growing honeybee industry" was just about totally wiped out!

Not willing to lose all of their investments and labor, marijuana growers in Belize salvaged what they could of the destroyed fields and sold the toxic substance both at home and ironically, to markets in the US. The extent of the damage to our people, our wildlife and to our environment might never be fully realized but needless to say, it has been significant. I believe that it is time for us to hold the US government responsible and for us to demand some reparation for the damages caused.

Of course, our ultra conservatives continue their objections to the easing of any restrictions against marijuana; in spite of many studies debunking their arguments. Their main arguments are that firstly, it is a gateway drug and leads to the use of harder drugs. There is absolutely no evidence to support this and there are lifelong marijuana users who have never touched cocaine, meth, heroin or any type of hard drugs. If anything, what might lead to the use of hard drugs is more the unavailability of marijuana. Life is rough at times and for many, marijuana offers "a bridge over troubled waters". Unlike alcohol and tobacco, both of which are perfectly legal and which follows more of a daily pattern use, marijuana smokers tend to follow a more occasional use pattern. Studies show that marijuana users are disproportionately younger males and suggest more of a youthful experimentation pattern than that of any enduring or steady life-long pattern. The majority of marijuana users do not graduate to more dangerous drugs and most tend to wean themselves off eventually. I speak from experience here, as one who has used plenty marijuana growing up but now will not touch the stuff. Objectors also try to make a link between marijuana use and criminal behavior but that argument also has little merit. What has been proven and what makes much more sense is that the easing of marijuana laws would save the country a lot of money in enforcement expense and would free up the Police to address the real and more serious crimes. Let us be sensible and rational about this whole matter; legalize or at the very least, decriminalize. American hypocrisy should no longer dictate our local policy. Belize for Belizeans!

The Belize Times

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Illegal Smile, one of my favorites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmjnQjRvPUQ#t=12


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I am a 64-year-old woman who has given this subject a great deal of thought. I have been using medical marijuana for a number of years. It is the best thing I have ever found for pain relief and mood stabilization. While I have always been able to find my medicine while I'm in Belize it is always with a certain amount of anxiety. It is absolutely ridiculous that this God-given substance is illegal anywhere.

These are some of my ideas and thoughts - marijuana should be legalized,regulated and taxed. All taxing proceeds should be dedicated to drug education,treatment,and interdiction for harder drugs. Watch the pricing though, or the black market will still flourish.

This may sound a little goofy but I've even thought about turning the Hattieville prison into a marijuana farm. I mean, who's going to break into a prison to steal marijuana? Also Hattieville's incarcerated residents would do all the farming,have access to the product and would go to sleep every night singing songs instead of trying to do each other harm.

The local police stations could be used as dispensaries. I know the possibilities for corruption are there, but once again who's going to break into a police station to steal marijuana?

Also I like the idea of causing the drug cartels some pain.

I'm really looking forward to where this thread goes.




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I'm from California, and a Grad. from Humboldt State University with a degree in Psychology and music back in 1989. I learned to grow weed when I was a child and I think that your idea is fantastic! Getting the job done is another story. As you know Ganga is being legalized through out America as we speak. I have been in Belize since 2002 and the weed here is no where near as good medicinally as it is in No. Cal. Anyway, I think it would stop a lot of crime/murders/and other medical problems if this medicinal plant were available to those that could benefit from it. I am in the background at this point, but I am watching the changes take place with positive impact. If I could grow here in Belize without legal issues I would consider growing. I leave you with this bit of info. I call it a joke. Marijuana is illegal in the country but grows wild in the city! Just look around. It is all over the place............LOL


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The argument for the legalization of marijuana in Belize

Written by Aria Lightfoot

Why legalize Belize?

The evidence is growing and supporting the medicinal properties of marijuana. I predict that one day soon there will be an inevitable international decriminalization or outright legalization of marijuana.

Belize needs to recognize the trends and move from a reactive policy making society to a proactive and anticipatory society. With the Sugar Industry in turmoil and our heavy dependence on the industry for foreign exchange and money, marijuana exportation may prove to be an even more lucrative business.

Additionally, our criminal laws seems to be largely non-functioning, unenforced or outdated in many cases and not designed for 21st century problems. The new criminal drug laws are poorly drafted, poorly investigated and poorly enforced. Many of the laws piggyback off old colonial justice, where the purpose then was to maintain the status quo and wealth of the nobles and keep the proletariat in compliance.

The prosecutorial system in Belize is a complete disgrace and there seems no current plans to address it. When I prosecuted cases, I always wondered why Belize spent hundreds of man hours, resources and effort chasing down our youths and criminalizing them for essentially a stick of weed and clogging our justice system with cases of mostly young black men; � many �who are first introduced to high level criminals in an over populated prison. Many of these young men who are arrested for marijuana are unable to make bail and are housed with convicted murders, rapists, thieves and so on.

Belize seems to take its crime-fighting cue from the U.S.; however, the United States is definitely not a leader in fighting crime effectively. Belize has imported many of the U.S. failed police state policies. Currently the Police Forces throughout the United States are under public scrutiny for abuses of human rights and excessive force especially against minority populations. The U.S. also has one of the worst incarceration rates in the world on par with the "axis of evil" countries. The U.S. Federal drug laws and enforcement are oppressive. Many argue that the rise of private prisons is part of the problem. These corporate prisons lobby Congress to keep drugs laws in place so as to keep prisons filled. Every new prisoner equals more money.

In October of 2014, Belize destroyed 54 million Belize dollars worth of a marijuana plantation with the help of the U.S. embassy. (One of many like operations) The hypocrisy of the event cannot escape the causal observer. Colorado around the same time was making about 25 million US dollars (50 million Belize dollars) worth of taxes based on the sale of marijuana. The U.S. ambassador himself is from a state where medical marijuana is legal.

Last year Canada offered Jamaica a lucrative deal. Legalize marijuana and sell it to Canada. Canada has a 1.3 Billion dollar industry and the license growers want to grow marijuana in Jamaica. The idea to legalize marijuana seems to have been tabled by Belize’s policy makers but I wonder how Belize will react when the U.S. eventually abandon this specific drug fight, legalize marijuana and then turn out to be the biggest producer, exporter and earner in marijuana sales? �Will Belize be compensated for years of an appeasement drug policy that criminalized a good portion of its youths?

What could Belize gain by marijuana legalization?

  1. Access to a growing and newly legal multi-billion dollar industry.
  2. Marijuana Tourism
  3. Less Criminals
  4. Access of billions in research money
  5. Cash Cow industry with low overhead costs
  6. Less Criminals
  7. Police officers who will redirect resources on other types of investigations
  8. Less dependency as a nation
  9. Less Criminals
  10. Financial Freedom

A Brief History of Marijuana�– criminalization and decriminalization

Marijuana has existed long before modern society and was known by numerous names such as cannabis, hemp, weed, trees and more. Back in 2700 B.C., the father of Chinese medicine Shen Nung recognized Marijuana for its healing properties along with two other mainstay Chinese herbs – ginseng and ephedra.

In 1200 B.C. the Egyptian reportedly used cannabis for the treatment of inflammation and glaucoma. This was evidenced by pollen found in mummies.

600 B.C. Indians are said to use marijuana for leprosy and by

1 A.D. the Chinese had about 100 medicinal uses for cannabis. The uses continued throughout world history for the uses of depression, asthma, loss of appetite, neuralgia, tetanus, typhus, cholera, rabies, dysentery, alcoholism, opiate addiction, anthrax, incontinence, gout, convulsive disorders, tonsillitis, insanity, excessive menstrual bleeding, uterine bleeding, impotence, ulcers etc. and of course recreational smoking.

In 1906 President Roosevelt passed the first Food and Drug Act aimed to label drugs and get pre-approval before market uses.

By 1911, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to prohibit marijuana that coincided with moral laws prohibiting the uses of alcohol, prostitution, gambling and oral sex.

By 1927 10 other states had followed suit in prohibiting marijuana. Keep in mind that during that era marijuana was also an international produced and imported product from India and was in direct competition with the Cotton industry via Hemp. Hemp was said to be a better material than cotton for making clothing and paper.

In 1913 the US government started to domestically grow marijuana and in

1918 was growing 60,000 pounds of marijuana annually.

On Feb 19, 1925, the League of Nations signed a multinational treaty adding cannabis to the narcotics list where use were to be limited to scientific only research. All imports and exports would be prohibited.

In 1928 the U.K added it to its Dangerous Drugs Act and what affected the U.K affected her colonies such as Belize.

During the years 1930 - 1937 via adamant lobbying of congress, movies and propaganda, marijuana was framed as a drug that caused insanity and "pushed people to commit horrendous acts of criminality."

In 1937 the first man, Samuel Caldwell was arrested and charged for selling marijuana and was sentenced to four years in prison and $1000.00 fine.

In 1938 Canada prohibits cultivation of marijuana but still allows some prescription use.

In 1961 the U.N Convention on Narcotic Drugs establishes Article 49 calling on participating nations to adopt measures to prevent the use and trade of marijuana outside of medicinal and scientific purposes.

In 1970 the U.S Congress passed an Act that classified marijuana as a drug with no accepted medical uses. The U.K. passes a similar Act and

In 1971 President Nixon ignored the Shafer commission recommendation to decriminalize marijuana. Nixon went further and declared a war on drugs. A failed policy by all evidence today.

The DEA was established in 1973 and in 1974 the National Institute on Drug Abuse begin growing marijuana for research purposes via the University of Mississippi.

On November 24, 1976, in U.S. v Randall, the US Supreme Court ruled that Randall use of Marijuana for glaucoma constituted a medical necessity and was the first American after prohibition to have access to marijuana for a medical purpose.

In 1976 the Netherlands decriminalized marijuana

Between 1980-today, the US has been very inconsistent with its policy on marijuana. Some states have recognized the medicinal purposes since 1978 with New Mexico passing laws supporting medicinal uses while simultaneously the Federal government have become stringent in their classification and enforcement of prohibition.

(source: http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000026)

Today 25 U.S. States have legalized some version of marijuana use with some legalizing all uses of marijuana even as the Federal government threatens loss of federal funding. Canada has decriminalized while the U.K. has become more stringent. The top five lobbyists in the United States who want to keep marijuana illegal are

  1. The police union
  2. The private corporate prisons
  3. Pharmaceutical companies
  4. Alcohol and Beer Companies
  5. Prison Guard Unions

Below was a typical poster used to frame marijuana as an immoral drug:



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Two and a half years ago, our newspaper reported that the Government had established a multi-sectoral committee tasked with reviewing proposals for the decriminalization of small quantities of marijuana, also known as "ganga" or "weed," with a view of introducing alternative penalties which would mean that casual users do not end up having a criminal record and do not have to spend time behind bars.

On Friday, January 23, a bill was tabled in the Senate in our sister Caribbean nation, Jamaica, proposing the decriminalization of up to 2 ounces of marijuana (just under 60 grams). The 2015 amendment to Jamaica's Dangerous Drugs Act also proposes the decriminalization of the cultivation of up to 5 ganga trees.

Cannabis possession and use, including the possession of commercial hemp, is prohibited under the laws of Belize. Although we have seen recent cases whereby persons have gotten into big legal trouble in Belize for a single ganga tree, which can be deemed cultivation under our laws and which could attract a stiff fine of $10,000 plus three years behind bars, the Belize proposals do not consider any softening of the laws where ganga cultivation is concerned.

However, the proposals, which we understand may be sent over to Cabinet as early as next week and which should be made fully public not too long from now, recommend the decriminalization of 10 grams of marijuana or less - what we had previously indicated is deemed to be equivalent to 10 cigarette-sized rolls of weed.

On the other hand, the intent is to retain the drug possession charge for quantities between 10 and 59 grams. A trafficking charge would be imposed for larger quantities of 60 grams or more.

We understand that the report of the committee has a section on the medicinal use of marijuana, although the decriminalization recommendations only take into consideration how much marijuana is found rather than the use for which it is procured.

We understand that members of the clergy had indicated to the committee that they felt that repeat offenders should be given stiffer penalties. However, we understand that the committee was considering the marijuana issue as it relates to the "chemical dependency" of the casual user. This, we were told, is why the recommendations include drug rehabilitation programs as well as community service, and fines which could finance programs such as drug rehab.

An official statement which the government issued back in July 2012 said that, "This initiative is driven by increasing evidence that the current legislation clutters the courts and the prison with primarily a marginalized segment of our population. The added impact of a permanent criminal record further disadvantages this already marginalized group, as it establishes a barrier against meaningful employment."

Whereas the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has agreed with the proposals in principle, it had indicated that it would support decriminalization for only 5 grams.

The Belize National Teachers' Union had rejected the proposals and highlighted the need for much more education, study and research of marijuana's use and effects.

While there is no indication that Belize will adopt the Jamaica model for marijuana decriminalization, we are advised that when Cabinet receives the report from the committee tasked with reviewing the marijuana decriminalization issue, that it will be fully apprised of the latest developments in that country.

The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) reported on Friday, January 23, that the amendments in that country would make the possession of small quantities of ganja, amounting to two ounces (about 57 grams) or less, a 'non-arrestable but ticketable' infraction, attracting a fine payable outside of the court, but not resulting in the possessor being burdened with a criminal record. It added that failure to pay the monetary penalty will be deemed a minor offence punishable in the Petty Sessions Court by an order for community service.

However, the legislation prohibits the smoking of ganja in public spaces, subject to specified exemptions, JIS said.

Of note is that last week, during the hearing of the case of Professor Brendan Bain in the Jamaica Supreme Court, a witness complained of the smell of ganga, which was being smoked by prisoners held at the facility's cells. It was reported that ganga-smoking by prisoners at the Supreme Court had become a common occurrence, while still illegal there.

According to JIS, proposed changes to the laws would facilitate ganja being used for therapeutic purposes, as prescribed by a registered practitioner, or for scientific research conducted by an accredited tertiary institution or otherwise approved by the Scientific Research Council (SRC), and it provides for the creation of a Cannabis Licensing Authority to regulate the proposed hemp and medicinal ganja industry in Jamaica. It also pointed to the liberalization of its use for religious purposes among Rastafarians.

With the report from the Belize committee on decriminalization and the latest developments in Jamaica to consider, Belize's Cabinet will ultimately decide on the way forward here; for example, whether it will go with the conservative 10-gram model originally proposed or whether it will altogether do away with the marijuana possession charge levied on persons who are found with less than 60 grams of marijuana, in line with Jamaica's amendments.

What has been clearly expressed, though, is that the Government of Belize is not considering altering the law for marijuana trafficking levied on persons found with 60 grams of marijuana or more.

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Proposal is for depenalization, not decrim, which is essence, is the same


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Marijuana decriminalization paper goes to Cabinet

The long-awaited final report from the Marijuana Decriminalization Committee will be released tomorrow, Friday, at Spoonaz Caf� on North Front Street in Belize City. Amandala has been reliably informed that a copy of the paper, which proposes to remove sanctions from the private and personal use of marijuana, has been sent off to National Security Minister John Saldivar, for presentation to Cabinet and hopefully by the time Cabinet meets to deliberate on the matter, it would have already had a gauge of public reaction to the recommendations.

The Committee's proposals maintain the view that marijuana possession of 10 grams or less (that's about a third of a pound), enough to fit in the cup of one's hand, should be decriminalized. This does not mean that a person will not face any consequences at all if found in possession of 10 grams in public; rather, such possession in public spaces would attract a fine; and smoking in public would, if the recommendations hold, still attract criminal sanctions.

Jamaica's Parliament recently approved decriminalization of possession of 60 grams of marijuana, equal to about 2 ounces or just over 2 handfuls worth of marijuana.

The Belize Decriminalization Committee, appointed in 2012, reviewed the report submitted to Jamaica's cabinet back in 2001 and a report for the Canadian government filed around the same time. In 2011, Canada decriminalized the use of 10 grams.

There have also been extensive consultations with various community groups and churches before the formulation of the final report, which we understand is 47 pages long and which should be available Friday on mybelize.net.

The special drug court, which will eventually hear these cases, apparently won't come on stream before these decriminalization provisions are made law.

Once Cabinet gives the green light to the recommendations, a suite of legislative amendments would be drafted for passage by Parliament.

The committee's recommendations propose that while smoking in private would be permitted, smoking in front of children would be criminal because it would endanger the health of minors.

Marijuana possession in public spaces would not result in criminal records or incarceration, but could attract fines of $15 per gram (or $150 for 10 grams), with two-thirds of the proceeds going to the court and one-third going to the National Drug Abuse Control Council for Drug Education.

Marijuana trafficking laws, which cover possession over 60 grams, in Belize would remain untouched, and laws to ban the possession of marijuana plants - deemed cultivation - are not recommended for amendments.

In recent years, there has been a global wave to decriminalize marijuana use.

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BELIZE Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee FINAL REPORT 2015

The Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DOMC) has released the document on the decriminalization of Marijuana. In March 2012, a small group of public and private Belizean citizens were tasked to research and make recommendations to assist Belize's policymakers in considering the amendment of current legislation to decriminalize possession of up to ten grams of marijuana.

The group formed became the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DOMC) chaired by Douglas Singh, the former Minister of Police and is comprised of five women and four men representing a cross section of the Belizean community. Members are ethnically, socioeconomically, professionally, and philosophically diverse. Their unifying attribute is their commitment to presenting a researched consensus on the issue of the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize.

Members include:

Chairman and Businessman, Douglas Singh
Public Servant, Rhea Rogers Chang
Travel Consultant, Katie Valk
Retired Public Servant, C. B. Hyde
Entrepreneur, Jeremy Spooner
Attorney, Donelle Harding Hawke
Director of National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) - Belize, Esner Vellos
Entrepreneur, Susan Fuller, and
Activist, YaYa Marin Coleman.

The DOMC members have worked under the guide of the Terms of Reference (page 4). They held discussions, reviewed literature, conducted surveys, and organized consultations to obtain documentation of public opinion, local context, and international trends on the issue of decriminalizing marijuana. DOMC members spent countless hours reading emails from Belizeans, listening to various opinions, frequently noting and appreciating the candidness of persons to the idea. To highlight elements that helped to enlighten DOMC members on public opinion, sparked heated discussions, and assisted in formalizing recommendations, excerpts from Personal Interviews are included on page 20 of this report.

CLICK HERE for the whole report.


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I, family, and friends (7 total) spent the month of July on Ambergris Caye, in San Pedro Town. We rented an apartment not far from the High School. We swam, lounged, visited many resturants, street vendors, bars, and gift shops. Took the water taxi to Caye Caulker for a day there, again swam, ate, drank, and shopped. We all had a wonderful time, on both Islands. Our average age, 53. I raised the average because I was the oldest at 67. Every single day of our stay we were offered to purchase "weed". And of course scuba trips, real estate, and even "pretty ladies" by the locals we encountered along the beach, and in town. All we declined.
Had someone approched us with the offer of an FatTire Amber Ale, or a Blue Moon Belgian White Ale, I'll admit we would have not been able to resist, I personally would have forked over $40. BZD for a decent American Craft beer.
This is not an entirely a tounge in cheek comment, relaxing the laws on weed would go a long way in making Belize a more tourist friendly destination. But it wouldn't entice me (or anyone in my group )to return if it were decriminalized. We were, to a person, dissapointed in the beer available in Belize.
What would make Belize my favorite place on earth ? A thriving craft beer culture, relaxed weed laws, relaxed "gay" laws. None of my group are gay, a couple are "420". But all are beer "geeks". An open beer culture would skyrocket Belize to the tourist destination extraordinaire. Way more than relaxed weed laws. JMHO.


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Marijuana de-penalization coming!

At the end of January a white paper was presented to Cabinet for its consideration at the possibility of decriminalizing marijuana. The issue has been looked at and in preliminary fashion Cabinet has decided that amendments be made to the criminal code to deal with persons who are caught with 10 grams or less of the drug. According to Minister of National Security, who has had reservations about the entire issue, Cabinet received the paper three weeks ago. It was reviewed and sent to the Attorney General's office for changes to the laws to accommodate the move.

While Cabinet has asked for amendments to the law, Minister Saldivar explained to the Guardian that the recommendations are not necessarily for the decriminalization of Marijuana, rather he deems it as de-penalization. In broad terms the Cabinet has recommended that anyone who has been caught with 10 grams or less be fined and no prison term be attached when found guilty of that amount. Additionally convictions of these amounts would not form part of the person's criminal record.

The Attorney General, Hon. Vanessa Retreage, in who's hands the task now lies to come up with amendments to the legislation says that her office is already working on the amendments and currently the legal draftsperson is putting the amendments together. She echoed Minister Saldivar's sentiment that it is not a decriminalization of Marijuana rather a de-penalization. She says that the amendments will be ready by the end of March and will be presented to Cabinet then.

Retreage says that the recommendations to Cabinet are sweeping and at this point in time there is no infrastructure in place to support them. Among the recommendations is for offenders to attend drug rehabilitations programs but these are currently non-existent. She added that for now the first step will be the de-penalizing of weed possession where small fines may be imposed on those caught with small quantities. The considerations at this point in time may be that the legislative changes may look at the penalties be 'akin to a ticket' and may also include changes in the processing of persons caught with small quantities where it may not necessary to actually detain the individual caught. All of this however is in a consideration stage as the legal draftspersons in the Attorney General's Ministry look at all current Marijuana legislation and make the adjustments.

The process of decriminalizing marijuana started in July 2012 when the cabinet commissioned the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee to examine the pros and cons of the decriminalization of up to 10 grams of marijuana. This Cabinet sub-committee utilized "public opinion, open discussions, debate, and literature review to come to a general consensus and to formulate recommendations".

The Guardian

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GOB to decriminalize marijuana

After years of research and consultation, the Government of Belize is preparing to amend the laws of Belize to decriminalize marijuana.

Cabinet has handed recommendations made by the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee, over to the office of the Attorney General for the legislative amendments to be drafted.

Douglas Singh, DOMC chairman, told the Reporter on Thursday evening, that the committee contacted the government to inquire where they were in considering the recommendations the committee had submitted in its report last year.

Singh explained that GOB, for the benefit of current ministers who were not a part of Cabinet at the time the report was initially submitted, gave the report another review and accepted the recommendations therein.

"There were some recommendations relative to fines�these things sometimes have conflicts so they will have to look at certain areas and elements but in principle the government has embraced the concept of decriminalization," Singh said.

He added that, to his knowledge, none of the recommendations were subject to change. Some of those recommendations, however, require structures which are not yet in place in Belize.

In March 2015, the DOMC presented its's report to Cabinet, concluding a process started in 2012 by Prime Minister Dean Barrow. The Committee tabled 11 recommendations including: that it not be a criminal offense for anyone to be found in possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana and that there be an amendment to the "Misuse of Drugs Act" to remove the word cannabis as one of the listed substances.

The Committee also recommended that there be no incarceration for up to 10 grams and that instead, a ticket be issued as well as mandatory drug education counseling plus a fine of $15 per gram and community service, rehabilitation and treatment.

The National Drug Abuse Control Council, when consulted by the DOMC, opposed the decriminalization until those rehabilitation facilities were in place and an established drug court system could be implemented to deal with offenses that would occur under the new amendments.

The Committee also advocated for the removal of a criminal penalty for the use of paraphernalia, including pipes and other products, in relation to the use of cannabis.
If GOB proceeds with all the recommendations of the DOMC, everyone who has been arrested for offenses under the amendment will retroactively have their criminal records expunged of those charges.

Decriminalization is where governments remove prison sentences from an offense, and replace it with lesser penalties. Decriminalization is not to be confused with legalization, where an action ceases to be an offense under the law.

The Reporter

==================================

Laws in the works for marijuana decriminalization

Laws for the decriminalization of marijuana, for possession of up to 10 grams, are in the works. Amandala is reliably informed that after Cabinet gave its nod for the legal drafting, the Attorney General's Ministry began working on amendments to the Criminal Code which would remove criminal penalties in the event that persons are found with marijuana within what would become the new limit.

Of note, though, is that Government is not moving to legalize marijuana use. Persons found with small quantities of marijuana would instead receive a fine through a sort of ticketing system. It is only in the event that the person fails to pay the fine that he or she would face incarceration.

Former National Security Minister Doug Singh, who was integrally involved in preparing a white paper which has been reviewed twice by Cabinet, told Amandala that Cabinet had approved the recommendations which were unveiled to the press last year. Since the November elections, new members were added to Cabinet, and they were recently presented with the white paper.

According to Singh, the drafted legislation would go back to Cabinet to ensure that what was intended is being accomplished. Subsequently, the proposed legislation would be tabled in the National Assembly.

Singh said that if we consider the way the world is going, Belize's recommendations happen to be "conservative."

In the case of Jamaica, he said, they last year decriminalized 60 grams of marijuana, which is the full amount for which a person would be charged with drug possession here in Belize. Anyone found with over that amount will be charged with drug trafficking. Belize is only decriminalizing a sixth of what Jamaica has decriminalized.

Singh said that Jamaica had also proceeded to include medical marijuana in its exemptions - effectively legalizing it for a purpose - something that Belize has not included in its set of recommendations.

Whereas the new laws being drafted would allow for persons in possession of 10 grams of marijuana or less to face a fine and/or be committed to community service, they would also allow for the records of persons who have been convicted for possession within these limits to be expunged.

"Too many young people have this following them, those who are seeking jobs," Singh said.

He noted that whereas for certain levels of jobs, employers do not usually ask for a police record, for basic entry-level positions they often do, and so the ability of persons who may have been caught with small amounts of marijuana to earn an honest living is adversely impacted.

Singh notes that there is already a mechanism in place to expunge those records, because some years ago, when he was Minister with responsibility for Police, he had led a similar process which saw hundreds of records expunged following an amendment to the Criminal Code.

The gamut of recommendations on the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize also includes drug education and rehabilitation for repeat offenders.

Singh said that there should be a "firewalling of penalties to put into a fund" that could be accessed for drug education and rehab through entities such as the National Drug Abuse Control Council.

A drug court, a separate initiative, is also in the works, which would allow persons who elect to do so, to appear before that court for drug-related infractions and crimes.

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The Director of The National Drug Abuse Control Council was on the DOMC with us and crafted this proposal


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Marijuana Laws to Be Amended

Exactly one year ago a media session was called by the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee in Belize City. In that session presentations were made on the findings and recommendations that were submitted to Cabinet for review on February 26, 2015. Cabinet has since reviewed the report and have taken the decision to amend the laws. While there has been no official report on the decision by Cabinet, Love News understands that laws will be amended whereby anyone convicted of marijuana possession will not have that placed on his or her record providing that it is ten grams or less. The other amendment will stipulate that jail time will no longer be an option for someone convicted of having ten grams or less of marijuana in their possession. According to Minister John Saldivar, who has responsibility for National Security, this is the extent to which this Government is prepared to go at this time. Saldivar's comments were noted on his social media page as he continues in his statement, saying, quote, "If one carefully studies these new policies one would realize that they both have to do with consequences only. Marijuana use and possession is not being legalized nor is it being encouraged by these two amendments. All the Cabinet has done can be characterized as addressing the "appropriateness of the consequences or sentencing". He went on to note that, quote, "Obviously, Cabinet feels that the negative effects on society and the individual of incarcerating persons for possession of small amounts of marijuana far outweigh the positive effects of throwing these people in jail, and similarly the negative effect on society and the individual of that person having to carry for life on his police record a conviction for possession of a small amount of marijuana far outweighs the positive effect on society and the individual of having that person carry that record for life." End of quote. Minister Saldivar ended by saying that the debate is ongoing as to how far we should go towards the legalization of marijuana. The Chairman of the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee is Douglas Singh, in our initial report on this matter Singh spoke to us on some of the recommendations made to Cabinet including a ticketing system.

The recommendations given to Cabinet were compiled into a 46-page document by the committee members, namely, Rhea Rogers Chang, Katie Valk, CB Hyde, Jeremy Spooner, Donelle Harding Hawke, Esner Vellos, Susan Fuller and YaYa Marin Coleman.


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John Brice�o, Leader of the Opposition, comes out for legalization:

"It is time for us to stop locking up our young people for a stick of weed. The time has come for us to decriminalize marijuana smoking and prepare the necessary research to move to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes and in small quantities. (Applause)"

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This is always such a passionate topic and for me it is 'live and let live'......However, I'll make this request .....If you are high: Do not take my family on a dive, Do not take my family on a tour, Do not drive my family in a Taxi, Do not insist that my family must get high, Do not go to your place of employment... Please be responsible for your behavior, your actions and the consequences of your inaction when under the influence......AND YES such as true for people who drink alcohol or partake in any other type of mind altering influence.....

Last edited by Judyann H.; 03/24/17 07:40 AM.

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Old foggy here..... Tried it once; too fattening if you know what I mean. Interesting comment on the radio the other day re "mind altering" substances. If you see somebody drinking out of a paper bag at 10 AM we have a mental picture of that "alcoholic" bum.. On the other hand, a guy/ gal with a joint at 10 AM is "cool"... Beats me?


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We have no other sane option but to decrim or legalize. We have marginalized too many young men with criminal records and now whio are not even able to get a job as a bike messenger. I assume you can afford a lawyer and buy your way out, but few of them can. We have lost precious human resources criminalizing something that most people do. Cruel and racist law, courtesy of the US govt. Time to end that here now. They have.


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Yes, Katie....I agree with the ugly criminal record issue.... We do have positions at the restaurant from time to time available to these folks. However, the rules apply the same to them as they do everyone else; do not come in under the influence, come in on time, keep a steady and thoughtful work flow.......We also ask for a good attitude & happy work place, however I think that comes with the territory for many of our toking friends wink


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This would cut into the police officers income dramatically. We might have to raise their salaries to compensate them for their losses.


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Caye Caulker group says decriminalizing marijuana will improve the economy

Marijuana decriminalization in Belize has been a subject of discussion with not much progress. Many believe it could be the solution to the country's economic woes. A few residents of Caye Caulker Village are even petitioning the Government of Belize, asking it to consider the option adopted by other countries who are benefiting tremendously from the legalization of this drug. The San Pedro Sun spoke with a few interested residents of La Isla Cari�osa to find out more about their proposal on this matter.

The stakeholders are proposing a pilot project wherein marijuana use is legalized and thus pave the way for the future development of marijuana laws in Belize. "If this proposal is considered, the country will then have a great source of income," one resident said. "Taxes collected on the drug, can be put back towards the development of our communities." The group of residents believe that the legalization of marijuana will boost tourism, not only in Caye Caulker but countrywide.

The Caye Caulker Village Council would not comment on the matter, other than to state that it will be a topic of discussion in their upcoming internal meetings. Chairwoman Enelda Rosado says that she personally does not support the idea and that her Village Council is working hard to address other issues of their island.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun


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Increasing tourism and having another revenue source for infrastructure is a great reason to do almost anything...... HOWEVER, I'll make the statement below again...And this is why........(Even just a month ago I did not get on a boat because the captain was stoned, I asked him about it as he put his running motor in reverse with children swimming about the pier..... and he said this, 'Yes Mommy we all dis way you should relax") ..........

This is always such a passionate topic and I'm good with 'live and let live'......Nonetheless, I'll make this same request .....If you are high: Do not take my family on a dive, Do not take my family on a tour, Do not drive my family in a Taxi, Do not insist that my family must get high, Do not go to your place of employment... Please be responsible for your behavior, your actions and the consequences of your inaction when under the influence......AND YES such as true for people who drink alcohol or partake in any other type of mind altering influence.....


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In my opinion legalizing pot for tourism is a unintelligent means for revenue, the tourist that will come for that reason most likely are lesser income folks, as for income for the community and country, the producers make a killing but the revenue the country will receive always slips thru the cracks as for coming back for infrastructure improvements not to mention the violence created from the existing cartel distributors and the new legal "startups"

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Just what Belize needs is hordes of 5 dollar a night back packers looking for a cheap place to get high!

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The reason for decrim is to stem the flow of young black men from the streets to prison, incurring a criminal record and preventing them from fruitful employment. Ive not heard of school bus drivers being stoned and causing accidents in Colorado, so not sure much will change here with similar operators of vehicles, boats, planes, etc. People will do what they have been doing


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Decriminalizing and legalizing are not the same thing.

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Yes, decriminalization can assist with a lot of these folks being able to have a second chance ..... However, it may also lead to legalization and eventually the following statistics.....Sadly in this report college students have little comprehension skills and education levels are dropping. I'm just concerned for the future of our already struggling Belize......BTW: dabunk also makes a very good point.....

Here are the highlights in just three years since legalization:

Marijuana-related traffic deaths increased 48 percent.
Over 20 percent of all traffic deaths were marijuana related compared to only 10 percent six years ago.
Marijuana-related emergency department visits increased 49 percent.
Marijuana-related hospitalizations increased 32 percent.
Marijuana-related calls to the Rocky Mountain Poison Center increased 100 percent.
Diversion of Colorado marijuana to other states increased 37 percent by vehicle and 427 percent by parcels.
Colorado youth now rank number one in the nation for marijuana use and 74 percent higher than the national average.
Colorado college-age group now rank number one in the nation for marijuana use and 62 percent higher than the national average.
Colorado adults now rank number one in the nation for marijuana use and 104 percent higher than the national average.

SOURCE: http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/08/31/studies-show-results-of-legal-pot-in-colorado/


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Or you could look at this data.

In March 2016, U.S. News & World Report named Denver the #1 best place to live in the United States. The only other Colorado metro area large enough to be considered, Colorado Springs, was ranked #5.

In February 2017, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported that the rate of marijuana use among adults and adolescents "has not changed since legalization either in terms of the number of people using or the frequency of use among users." Rates of daily or near-daily use among adults were much lower for marijuana than for alcohol or tobacco, and the rate of past-month marijuana use was lower than past-month alcohol use among adolescents. "Based on the most comprehensive data available, past-month marijuana use among Colorado adolescents is nearly identical to the national average," the report concluded. In a December 2015 interview, the head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Nora Volkow, acknowledged that marijuana usage rates have not risen despite changes in policy and public attitudes: "All of those factors have led many to predict that there would be an increase in the pattern of use of marijuana among teenagers and we are not seeing it."

The Colorado Department of Education reports high school graduation rates have significantly increased and dropout rates have significantly decreased since 2010.

Regulated marijuana sales generated nearly $200 million in state tax revenue and license fees in 2016, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue. This does not include tens of millions of dollars in local taxes and fees that were raised by cities and towns throughout the state. For example, the Denver city government reports that it received more than $29.5 million from local marijuana taxes and licensing fees in 2015. This was more than enough to cover the city's costs of enforcement, regulation, and education, which were about $6.9 million that year and are estimated to be around $9.1 million in 2016.

The Colorado Legislature distributed approximately $220.8 million in marijuana tax funds in FY 2015-16 and FY 2016-17, according to a July 2016 report from Legislative Council Staff. Less than 10% of those funds ($21.5 million) were needed to cover the costs associated with regulating marijuana. More than $138.3 million was distributed to the Colorado Department of Education to benefit Colorado schools, including $114.9 million for the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) public school construction program.

https://www.mpp.org/regulationworks/


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Thank you Collyk....Yes, I agree there are advantages to the Colorado economy..... And again personally I say to those who enjoy the high to go right ahead......

However, I will continue to plead with everyone who enjoys a little chemical escape to be responsible. Unfortunately in Colorado people under the influence continue to attempt operating professionally when they should not...... I'm afraid that may happen in Belize.... The article verifies that statistic and also covers the sad results of the younger population under the influence while attending school... Therefore I simply wanted to show the increase in Marijuana related injuries/fatalities since legalization and ask that we have something in place to protect our tourists, our neighbors and my family from being injured by anybody under the influence of any mind altering chemical........


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Intk stats conclude weed usage decreased after decrim and legalization , so that should allay your fears, not that people have not been doing all along, what you predict will happen should weed laws be excised. So this is a good thing overall, everyone wins.


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Who here on the message board was around before Belize gained independence. I've been told that these drug laws were not inforce back then. I have been told that marijuana usages "way back then" was common and not a big problem. Who knows for sure what it was like then?


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Belize Breeze. Few if any arrested. Was only after the US started their useless war on drugs that we allowed them to spray, killing off livestock, poisoning crops and possibly, responsible for cancers in humans and other living creatures. Compare arrest records from then and now.


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The bill to decriminalize weed goes to the House next Friday. The process has begun.


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I confess, I did not read all posta... but decriminalizin possession would still leave the "criminal" supply chain in charge. Are there plans to address that?

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To be clear - is the bill legalizing or decriminalizing ...... ?

Very different.

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Diane, I have to get my hands on the bill. The intent was to recommend decrim, after consultations with stakeholders. But the bill might go further in its intent, I've been told. So I'll get a copy beforehand and let you know or we'll all find out on Friday.


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Gridguy, The Committee dealt with the impact the current law on users, not dealers. The new law, I think, will decrim 10 grams or less. 60 grams is trafficking. Not sure what 11-59 grams will be under new proposed law.


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Decriminalization means the offense is "civil" (like a parking ticket) rather than criminal (like theft or murder)
Possession is still breaking the law, but with different consequences.
This would be consistent with the idea of larger amounts and trafficking carrying heavier charges.

Very hard to make small amounts fully legal and big amounts illegal.

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Depends on the administrative penalties, which Im not sure of. Have to see the bill to see if its decrim, or depenalization or otherwise.


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Open Your Eyes: Should we Decriminalize Marijuana?

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Sound?


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Decriminalization For Small Quantities of Marijuana Coming

The fight to de-penalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana that sees so many persons hauled to court every week, could be gaining major ground on Friday.

Legislation for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana will be tabled at Friday's House of Representative's meeting. Former police minister Douglas Singh and a committee of other stakeholders recommended that the government make an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act that would see the decriminalization of possession of up to 10 grams of weed - that's about three to four joints.

We'll tell you exactly what's in the bill on Friday. And while the legislation is coming months before an election, it has been in discussion for at least two years. We'll have more on it on Friday when the bill is revealed.

Channel 7


Marijuana decriminalization laws ready for Parliament

Belize moves for the first time to remove criminal sanctions for possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana. It is not the same as 'legalization,' as fines would be levied for offenders, as is the case with traffic offenders.

Doug Singh, one of the leading members of the committee which had been tasked several years ago to come up with recommendations for the decriminalization of up to 10 grams of marijuana, told Amandala today that the enabling legislation-an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act-is due to be tabled in the House of Representatives when it meets in special session on Friday, August 18.

This was confirmed to our newspaper by Solicitor General Nigel Hawke.

According to Singh, Cabinet had finalized adjustments to the legislation and it completed its process when it met earlier this week.

The decriminalization proposals were unveiled back in 2015 and the legal drafting ensued. Belize began to seriously look at changing its laws to decriminalize the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana-about a handful of what is locally known as 'ganja'-back in 2012; however, it does not mean that marijuana use and trade is legal in Belize. That process would be called legalization, for which there has been an ongoing lobby in certain circles in Belize but which has so far been unsuccessful.

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Depenalization Legislation Going To House

As we told you last night, the government is tabling an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act at Friday's House meeting. This has to do with the decriminalization of small amounts of weed – and depending on the outcome of Friday's meeting it can mean that those who are caught with a joint won't have to worry about any criminal charges. Today Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington put it into perspective. 

Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Foreign Minister
"My own understanding of it that what they are seeking to do really is to enable people who smoke small quantity of marijuana to be able to do so without running the risk of going to prison. So if you smoke small amount of marijuana in your home, you're not likely to be charged for that. If you do the same thing outside they will give you a summons and there will be a fine. That is the extent of that piece of legislation, it's nothing more than that really to facilitate those people and there are some people who use marijuana for medicinal purposes and if they have it in their home and they catch them they can find themselves in serious problem so I think it's an attempt to reach kind of compromise but it's very minimal the initiative is very minimal really, really no big thing."

Channel 7


Will The Opposition Support Decriminalization Of Marijuana?

On Friday, the House of Representatives will meet to consider a number of bills, one reportedly being a proposed legislation to decriminalise the use of Marijuana in Belize. In 2012, a Committee known as the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DOMC) was established to carry out extensive research on the issue and provide recommendations. One of those recommendations is for the de-penalization of marijuana possession for quantities of 10 grams and less. For several years, the recommendation has remained on paper but it appears the Government is now prepared to propose the necessary legislation required for changes to the law to take effect.

Should the reports be true, then we can expect that such proposed legislation will seek the support of the Opposition, so where does the PUP stand on the issue? Today we asked Opposition Leader John Briceno.

Honourable John Briceno - Opposition Leader for the People's United Party

"I want to put on record that we in the PUP have been calling out for some time that we must decriminalize the use of marijuana, we have thousands of young Belizeans that have been put in jail that have a criminal record that have been caught with a little stick of weed, so we need to decriminalize that now as it is supposed to be ten gram, five gram or fifty gram than that is another matter that we need to be able to look at so we have been on record for some time that there must and that we should decriminalize so we will support but we need to look at the Bill before we can say we are going to support this Bill, but the decriminalization we will support."

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Minister Elrington Says Decriminalization of Marijuana No Big Deal

An amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act is to be tabled this Friday at a special meeting of the House of Representatives in Belmopan. For years, a committee headed by S.S.B. Chairman Doug Singh has been looking at decriminalizing the possession of small quantities of marijuana. Debate around the pros and cons of amending the legislation has taken place for some time; in some quarters the concern has been that it is the first step to legalize the drug. As is the case of Jamaica, back in 2015, its legislation was amended to allow for persons to access permits to buy and be in possession of up to two ounces of weed for medicinal purposes. It is now considered a petty offense that could result in a five-dollar fine for Jamaicans, but not an arrest or a criminal record. But what does this move by the government mean for Belize?

Wilfred Elrington, Area Rep., Pickstock

"When I listen to the radio I hear a whole host of craziness. My own understand of it is that what they are seeking to do really is to enable people who smoke small quantities of marijuana to be able to do so without running the risk of going to prison. So if you smoke small amounts of marijuana in your home, you are not likely to be charged for that. If you do the same thing outside, you will be given a summons and you will pay a fine. That is about the extent of that piece of legislation; it's nothing more than that�really to facilitate those people. And there are some people who use marijuana for medicinal purposes and if they have it in their home and catch them, they can find themselves in serious problems. So I think it is an attempt to reach a kind of compromise. But it is very minimal; the initiative is very minimal; it is rarely no big thing."

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House Meeting History: Small Amounts of Marijuana Decriminalized

History was made at the House Meeting in Belmopan today when the bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana was introduced. Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Elrington bought it to the house for the first reading:..

Hon. Wilfred Elrington - UDP Area Rep.
"To decriminalize the possession of cannabis in amounts not exceeding ten grams. To provide for the imposition of monetary and non-recordable penalties for the possession of cannabis in such amounts occurring on school premises in specified circumstances, to decriminalize the smoking of cannabis in private premises and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. This bill has long been in gestation. I think it is recognized by members on both sides of this House that the present regime which we have dealing with marijuana is not equitable. As a matter of fact, it is viewed that it is unduly prejudicial, particularly to the poorer members of our society, who for one reason or the other use marijuana in smaller quantities and this is a small step towards ameliorating what we consider to be an injustice over the years perpetrated against our people."

This was just the first reading, so there was no debate and, it is not the law at this time. It will now go back to committee for consideration and public consultation, and will be brought back to the house for the second and third reading. After that, the bill will be taken to the Senate for passage - and it can only become law after that - a process that will take a few months.

"Weedists" Celebrate, Evangelicals Lament, GOB Calls It Progress

And while tonight "weedists" all over Belize are celebrating, evangelical church leaders are lamenting, and we'll have their points and counterpoints for you later on in the news. But for the Barrow Administration, they are taking it as a progressive and worthwhile step forward. The Prime Minister explained:...

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister
"I feel both as a matter of conviction that it is something good to do, but also that as a society as a whole will support it."

Jules Vasquez - Reporter
"Sir, the most cynical interpretation will be that, well, there is an election in a few months and the UDP has had this on the backburner for some while but your government brought it to the front burner to give it a little boost for the elections since you don't have a lot of money to spread around."

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow- Prime Minister
"No, I don't think it's that sort of an issue that will make any material difference to the election. Certainly, that was not the reason."

Jules Vasquez - Reporter
"Will there be a public awareness campaign to sort of tell people, it's not to say you can smoke marijuana publicly."

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister
"There will have to be because I gather that already on the talk shows the level of, not ignorance, perhaps, wishful thinking is amazing so we will have to let people know that basically, we are creeping before we walk and so it doesn't go nearly as far as I am sure a lot of people will like. So you are perfectly correct there will have to be some sort of education campaign."

Later on we'll have the views of the Council of Churches, and the National Evangelical Association, and well as weed advocate Pulu Lightburn plus you'll see the Prime Minister and Plus TV's Luis Wade clash on the subject.

Church Council Conservative on Cannabis

As we told you in the first segment, the government introduced the amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act today in Belmopan. While no vigorous debate had begun as yet, we asked Methodist Bishop and President of the Belize Council of Churches, Roosevelt Papaloutte to give his preliminary reaction to the legislation. He was quite diplomatic and open minded on the matter. So he didn't take a hard line stance, but he did say that many factors need to be considered especially when it comes to how this change will impact youth.

Reporter
"One aspect of the amendment is that pretty much if you are caught with 10 grams or less anywhere in the country there will be no charge. What are your thoughts or your comment in response to that?"

Roosevelt Papaloutte, Methodist Bishop - President of the Belize Council of Churches
"Again, I know that perhaps that the essence of it, is there any other thing attach to that, because if you are caught today with 10 grams and perhaps one week later with 10 grams and less than 10 grams and 2 months later with less than 10 grams. What is in place? That are a lot of implications that perhaps we will have to look at as to how this is going to take place."

Reporter
"One other element to the amendment is that if you are found with under 10 grams in your home, there will be no charge. What are your thoughts to this and I know you express concerns in terms of youths - young children, they will be in the homes as well. So what are your thoughts in terms of that portion of the amendment?"

Roosevelt Papaloutte
"And that's what I feel is that it's not simply the amendment to the law, but what are we going to put in place to help if it is something that is happening in the home for example, lack of guidance or wherever that young person is. What are going to put in place to we give you that ease, but what are we going to give you to guide you to help you to discipline yourselves, because whether we believe it or not, 10 grams or less, it still means something, especially for the younger generations. We need to have programs within the schools or in the churches and when we were looking at it as well as church leaders and I am speaking frankly from the Belize Council of Churches point of view - we were also looking at we too as a church. What can we put in place?"

Reporter
"In your opinion, you do support this ease in terms of cutting back on the charges for this small amount of weed. You would consider that, you're open to that?"

Roosevelt Papaloutte
"I would consider that. I believe a number of us from the church community have given thought to that. The amendments is a welcome step. We need to have it before us to see exactly all that it entails and I believe the church is not really an opposition party. We tend to sit down and look at what is before us and make meaningful recommendations that will be useful not only for the young people, but for generations and for the country at large."

Now while Papaloutte was more open to finding common ground on this issue, the National Evangelical Association of Belize simply won't have it. In a release sent out today it opens by saying "The National Evangelical Association of Belize and it's 250+ represented churches expresses its disagreement with intent and steps of Government to decriminalize marijuana, a move that we are convinced is an incremental step towards legalization." It goes on to say that the Association had presented studies and reports reflecting the "danger of marijuana use" and that it's members had asked the government to NOT go in this direction.

The Good and The Bad of Ganja

As you just saw Pastor Louis Wade is against the passing of the amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act. We spoke to Wade, after his sharp exchange with the Prime Minister, about what he doesn't like about the law. But first, here's what someone on the opposite side of the argument has to say. Clinton "Pulu" Lightburn is a long time proponent for the legalization of marijuana, and has voiced his opinion on the subject on this newscast several times before. He gave us his thoughts on the newly read amendment, and what he thinks is the way forward...

Clinton "Pulu" Lightburn, For Decriminalization
"I think it's a step in the right direction, but there is a lot more that needs to be done for us to get it right. I think what we are doing as I would say in creole "dem di play haul and back." The reality of it is that the world has found out that what we were taught about marijuana was wrong, misleading and purposely done so. The reality of it is that scientist have found out through various studies done by universities in the Ivy League, in Europe and a lot of other places in the world. And it has been discovered that marijuana has over 400 medicinal properties. As opposed to cigarette which has over 4,000 poisons. So for those advocates who are against marijuana, before we go even farther I want you to answer this question for me: Why is it that tobacco which has over 4,000 poisons is legal and marijuana which has over 400 medicinal properties is illegal?"

Reporter
"In order for us to get that legalize place how much more do we have to go? Do we need more push back from the people? From the Opposition? From who?"

Clinton "Pulu" Lightburn, For Decriminalization
"It will be time. Time will take care of everything. We cannot get away from it. Marijuana worldwide is going to be legal within the next 10 years, unless you are a draconian country. The countries that are still going to have marijuana as being illegal are going to be countries where there are no human rights."

And while Lightburn claims that all 400 of those "medicinal properties" are positive, Louis Wade says that only 50 of them have been identified by scientists. Wade also told us about his objection to marijuana being restricted by amount as opposed to blood content. Here's what he had to say...

Louis Wade, Against Decriminalization
"Imagine if alcohol was regulated in this country based upon how much rum you had on you on the moment the police comes. That's is not how drugs work. It's not when they bust you in an accident they count the pint bottles that you have on you. That is not science. What is done is a drug test is taken and the law prescribes a legal limit for alcohol consumption. It's not how much pint bottles you have. I don't know where the Prime Minister's cabinet got the concept that marijuana should be regulated based upon how much you have on you. Alcohol is measured based upon a legal limit and my question to the Prime Minister that he could not answer was very simple: What is the legal limit for marijuana in the blood? He could not answer that, because every kind of marijuana contains different quantities of Tetrahydrocannabinol just like how every beer versus tequila versus elephant foot has a different. It is very simple science that we ask the Prime Minister."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"I know you are a scientist or scientifically disposed, but your objection is not only scientific, it is also moral. You believe that smoking marijuana is indicative or will lead to moral laxity or breakdown."

Louis Wade, Against Decriminalization
"No. Marijuana comes from a plant just like cocaine comes from a plant, just like alcohol comes from a plant, just like heroine comes from a plant. Plants have chemicals. It just so happens that marijuana has 420 Tetrahydrocannabinol of which science has only identified and tested 50 of the 420. When a person smokes marijuana they add heat to 420 chemicals, so a chemical reaction takes place and the 420 chemicals turn into something else. So we are looking at the science of marijuana in the first instance."

The National Evangelical Association of Belize, which Wade is a part of, submitted several medical studies to the PM which outline the detriments of marijuana usage, and they urged the government reconsider passing the amendment.

Channel 7


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Rev Pap welcomes change and a pleasure to deal with. The Evangenitals mean spirited and bigoted. They demand jail for a stick of weed.


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Former PM Esquivel supports decriminalization

He's no longer Prime Minister but Manuel Esquivel did issue a statement to us, saying, quote, "I understand that a recent press release from the National Evangelical Association of Belize quotes me as saying that 'The Church is the Conscience of the Nation'. These words, if I did say them, were certainly not offered in the context of decriminalising the possession of small quantities of marijuana. It is well known that the current laws disproportionately affect certain disadvantaged segments of our population. If the Church truly wishes to be the Conscience of the Nation, it should concentrate on fighting against poverty, racism and classism."

Channel 7


Understanding Belize's decriminalization of 10 grams of marijuana

-A Rowland Parks exclusive to Amandala -

On Friday, at the House of Representatives meeting, Home Affairs Minister Hon. Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington introduced a bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act to make provision for the decriminalization of 10 grams of marijuana. This is the quantity which the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DoMC) had recommended in its 2015 report.

Marijuana, or cannabis, as it is referred to in the Laws of Belize, is illegal and will remain illegal long after the DoMC's recommendation becomes the law of the land.

While the spirit of the law is to let possession of 10 grams or less not be a criminal offense, the new proposed law, which had its first reading in the House of Representatives last Friday, will take an administrative notice of offenders, who will be subject to pay a small fine.

The imposition of a fine will in itself create a bureaucratic structure that will keep a record of offenders. The penalties could go higher for repeat offenders and at some point, drug treatment would be recommended.

The amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act will not take away the cruel punishment of the drug trafficking law, with its mandatory minimum fine of $10,000 and/or 3 years in prison for amounts of marijuana exceeding 60 grams.

The government's move to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act has reopened the discussion about marijuana and its use in Belize. In introducing the Bill on Friday, Hon. Elrington said, "This bill has long been in gestation. I think it is recognized by members on both sides of this House that the present regime which we have dealing with marijuana is not equitable - as a matter of fact, it is the view that it is unduly prejudicial, particularly to the poorer members of our society, who for one reason or another, use marijuana in smaller quantities�this is a small step toward ameliorating what we consider to be an injustice over the years, perpetuated against our people."

Prime Minister Dean Barrow said that he was excited about this small step. "I am excited. Clearly it is only a first step, and a small step�. I know there will be the naysayers�.I suspect we are going to hear from the churches. But I feel as both a matter of conviction that it is something good to do, but also that the society as a whole will support it."

When he was asked why the bill did not go through all its stages on Friday, Barrow said, "No, because it is something that is likely to be controversial, certainly from the point of view from the churches. They have already, in the course of the exercise that the persons we had asked to look at this - in the course of the exercise they have had some disagreements with the churches, so I don't think it would have been fair to do it in that way."

Barrow also explained that there would have to be a public education campaign to make people aware that they are not to smoke weed anywhere in public.

Barrow commented, "�we are creeping before we expect to walk. And it doesn't go nearly as far, as I am sure a lot of people would like. So you are perfectly correct; there will have to be some sort of an education campaign."

And just how will the 10 grams of marijuana end up in the hands of individuals? They will have to buy from sellers, who will have to continue to run the risk of being arrested and fined in court for drug trafficking, unless, of course, the government steps in and becomes involved in the cultivation and distribution business.

Not much will change in the scheme of things as far as marijuana being illegal is concerned, because even those caught with the 10 grams will be subjected to being categorized in a law enforcement database and will be targeted later for the proposed drug treatment program that was recommended by the DoMC.

Admittedly, the decriminalization of 10 grams is a sensible step in the right direction. But Belize is still a very long way off from making marijuana a new cash crop that could boost its tourism industry and inject new capital into an economy that is struggling under the weight of its national debts.


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Manuel Heredia Junior Supports Decriminalization of Marijuana "for the Little Man"

Minister Heredia says that the trafficking and sale of drugs are at the heart of criminal activities on the island, but are there contradictory rules in place? At last Friday's House Meeting, the government tabled a bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act that decriminalizes possession of up to ten grams of marijuana. But the bill does not address the suppliers of the drug or even cultivation, which still remains illegal on the books. Here's how Heredia Junior responded to the proposed law.

Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism

"This had been in the pipeline for many years, looking and in consultation. I think you heard Doug Singh yesterday when he was Minister of Police having consultations with different organizations and N.G.O.s and the churches and whatnot. And we believe that there are many of these cases that you will find people that do it not really for a habit, but because they want to concentrate probably better. Or sometimes they say because of sickness or so. But I believe that as they mention, alcohol is something that does a lot of damage�why should we be tackling the little man over there doing and not really the bigger man, the bigger persons that are really doing the bigger harm."

Reporter

"So sir, for the record, do you support this move by your administration to decriminalize that ten grams of marijuana?"

Manuel Heredia Jr.

"Yes, I definitely. If I am not mistaken it was a unanimous decision that was taken by cabinet."

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Okay, a few more hurdles to jump.


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Marijuana Law Subject to Misinterpretation

After introducing for a first reading the bill to decriminalize possession of ten grams or less of marijuana in the House of Representatives in August, Prime Minister Dean Barrow indicated that a public education campaign would be needed to address certain beliefs and concerns floating around during the long-standing debate about marijuana in the last five years. He conceded that the amendment does not go nearly as far as some would like, and further than opponents like the churches want it to. But attorney Richard "Dickie" Bradley revealed to News Five today that some are already looking for loopholes in a law that hasn't even been passed yet.

Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney

"A lot of persons out there believe that the suggestion by the Government, the proposal by the Government, the draft of a bill to say decriminalize ten grams of marijuana - poorly thought out and so on - but the point I want to make is that it is not the law. A lot of people are arguing with me - I'm supposed to be the lawyer, they are the "bush lawyer" and they are telling me that that's legal; they can have ten grams in their house. No law has been passed; you are not protected; they will kick down your door and ker you da station and charge you. No law no pass; it's not true."

Reporter

"It's not passed yet."

Richard "Dickie" Bradley

"Ih no pass yet, because it's not properly thought out. Who will they buy the weed from? Let me tell you what the "bush lawyers" tell me: if the man dem come ina my house and I have fifty, sixty grams of marijuana, I'll let them know: 'hear weh di happen my boy, ten da fi my brother; ten da fi my uncle; ten da fi my partner whe stay yah and so on; I noh di brok no law.' Dehn done gah dis thing figga out. (Laughs) I'll leave you with that."

The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill is referred to the Health and Human Development Committee of the House. The Prime Minister said in August that nothing has been contemplated at this juncture for those who provide and sell the drug. Offenders can face jail time if caught.

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Sadly, we've talked to several local people who adamantly told us that Marijuana is now legal in Belize...... Maybe a public notice is in order for a proper understanding......


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Decriminalization of Marijuana is Music for Some Persons

This Friday, Parliament will be meeting, and it is expected that the amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act will be debated and subsequently come into effect by the end of this month. The amendments relate to the decriminalization of up to 10 grams of marijuana.� This means that Belizeans will be able to access up to 10 grams of weed without being penalized. That is, no criminal charges will be laid against anyone for such small quantities. The debate is split down the middle, with some persons for the decriminalization and others against. Will the decriminalization reduce crime significantly, and thereby reduce the strain on our legal system? Or would it be a passage for persons to thereafter access more high level drugs? Love News took to the streets to find out what people had to say.� We found out that decriminalizing up to 10 grams of weed is music to some people's ears.

Do you think decriminalizing marijuana is a good thing or is it a bad thing what are your thoughts?

Member of the Public

"I think it’s a good thing."

Member of the Public

"Well I think it is a good thing instead assuming that it be used for medicinal use only but in a bad way it might be abusive as well."

Member of the Public

"I actually think it’s a good thing because I know a lot of people who actually have Glaucoma, headaches and a lot of mental things that marijuana can actually help with and its not everybody that uses is a bad person like they put it. I know a lot of people that use marijuana."

Reporter

You said your grandmother uses marijuana?

Member of the Public

"Yeah my grandmother drinks it, she doesn’t smoke it. She drinks it. That does well for her because she is moving around and she’s over 80. After she drinks that she actually cuts the yard with machete."

Reporter

"Do you think the decriminalization will reduce crime significantly?"

Member of the Public

"It might be able to reduce crime significantly because a lot of time the encounter that the police has with our youths is under the disguise of looking for marijuana and the police don’t have enough reasons to search our youths now for marijuana there might be a decrease."

Reporter

"How about the argument to where these youths will have access to these drugs and they more than likely could become drug addicts in the future?"

Member of the Public

"No, but what I’m saying right now, alcohol is legal, cigarettes are legal and still a lot of our youths don’t use either of them so not because you are making marijuana a little more accessible to them they are going to use more because as it is any youth in Belize can get marijuana right now even though it’s illegal any youth in Belize has access to marijuana right now as it is."

Many were reluctant to give their opinion on camera and from among the persons interviewed, only one was against decriminalizing marijuana.

Reporter

"Are you for decriminalizing marijuana or are you against it?"

Member of the Public

"No marijuana I cannot agree with it."

Love News also spoke with Shamir Villanueva, Operations Manager of PROTEL, who shared how the decriminalization of up to 10 grams of marijuana may affect his company.

Shamir Villanueva, Operations Manager of PROTEL

"We would likely treat it the same way that we treat alcohol. Of course everybody takes a drink here and there as long as you are not under the influence at work or the substance isn’t brought into the job place then you are free to use it how you wish. So I guess in the sense we would treat that the same way as long as you are not here under the influence or you do not bring the substance into the workplace you are free to use it if that is what the law dictates."

With the decriminalization of marijuana, persons who have a criminal record due to using marijuana will be able to get their conviction expunged. It is noteworthy to mention that there are many things that the two major political parties disagree on, however, they both agree that marijuana should be decriminalized.

LOVEFM


The Bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act is expected to be passed at today's Meeting of the House of Representatives; the next step is for debate and ratification in the Senate, officially making it law. Our team sat down with the Attorney General to get a better understanding of the act �


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Where would you be permitted to smoke Marijuana under the proposed MODA Bill?

While you still will NOT be permitted to smoke Marijuana in public spaces, the new provisions would allow you to smoke in certain places like your home.

Under the new amendment to MODA, smoking Marijuana will be permitted at specific premises:

1. Your residence;
2. A residence owned or lawfully occupied by another person where the individual has given consent to the activity;
3. A hotel, lodging or other private sleeping accommodation for paying guests, which permits lawful smoking.

In every case, smoking Marijuana would still be governed by the rules on possession.

On August 18th, 2017, a Bill for the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2017 (the "MODA Bill") was introduced to the House of Representatives. The Bill proposes to put in place new provisions for the possession and smoking of marijuana. The second reading of the bill will be at the House Meeting scheduled for October 20th, 2017.

Possession of 10 grams (3/8 oz. or a handful) or less of marijuana will no longer be considered a criminal offence UNLESS a person is found in possession of Marijuana on the premises of a school or other educational institution.

As long as the amount of Marijuana in your possession is not more than 10 grams, it would no longer be considered a crime to smoke Marijuana in your home, or another specified venue, with the owner or operator's permission.

A person who is under the age of 18 years and found in possession of 10 grams or less of Marijuana will be referred to an approved drug treatment or drug counselling programme at the expense of his or her parents. Under MODA, the current provision for treatment requires proof of addiction for first-time offenders; the MODA Bill goes further.

It will still be a criminal offence to be in possession of over 10 grams of Marijuana: you can be arrested, charged, tried in court, and if found guilty, you will be sentenced to a fine or to imprisonment or both. The offence will be recorded on your criminal record.

The rules against possession of Marijuana do not apply to any of the following circumstances:

  • Possession of Marijuana for medical and therapeutic purposes as recommended or prescribed by a registered medical practitioner or other approved health practitioner;
  • Prescription by a registered medical practitione or supply by a registered chemist or druggist;
  • Possession of Marijuana for the purpose of scientific or other research.

I heard a judge in Dangriga upheld this when an American with a medical marijuana prescription from his doctor in the US was arrested for possession, but he had his prescription so the judge tossed the case.

You will no longer be held responsible for activities of other persons, involving the use of Marijuana (i.e. smoking or possession of pipes, etc.), at premises where you are present and where the total amount in the possession of any person is not more than 10 grams.


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Marijuana Decriminalization Legislation Passed By House

Tonight, Belize is one step close to de -criminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The bill was first tabled in the House of Representatives and mid-August and today it was presented for debate and passage. There was support on both sides of the house. Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington gave the second reading of the historic piece of legislation:..

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Home Affairs
"To decriminalized the possession of Cannabis in amounts not exceeding 10 grams, to provide for the possession of monetary and non-recordable penalties for the possession of Cannabis in such amounts occurring on school premises in specified circumstances to decriminalized the smoking of cannabis on private premises and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto."

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"I think it would be naive for us on this side of the honorable house to feel that smoking weed is not prevalent in our society. Probably most of us in the room had one time probably take a little smoke."

"Nonetheless, the Opposition will support the amendments to the misuse of drug act, for we strongly believe that the time has come, has long pass when we should be locking up people, especially young people, for smoking a stick of weed."

"As for me, my difficulty with the current legislation is that it stops at decriminalization. I feel that it would been better if we had done all the studies and made the preparations to go even further and move towards the legalization of marijuana."

"While I respect the opinion of those who are against this, I believe that there are numerous benefits to legalizing the use of marijuana in certain small quantities. Who knows, one day maybe we could allow the Prime Minister - he has a lot of pain in the house - that he could take a little smoke to ease the pain. Or, hold on member from Mesopotamia, that they allow some of the members in here to take a little smoke before they come so that they could behave good and not behaving bad in the house."

"I know we are taking it as light matter, but it is something serious and I think that it is something whose time has come."

Hon. Francis Fonseca
"This bill does not legalize marijuana, first of all. That is not an issue here at all and nobody at all is promoting or advocating the smoking of marijuana. That is not the purpose of the bill. That is not the intention of the bill. That is not the subject of the bill. Nobody is promoting the smoking of marijuana."

Hon. Elodio Aragon, Minister of State - Home Affairs
"I just want to make it clear that this amendment to the misuse of drugs act is the mere possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana will no longer be a crime. In other words it will no longer be a criminal offence. Unless possession occurs on the premises of a school or other educational institution. Farther more it remains a criminal offence to be in possession of over 10 grams of marijuana. Offenders can be arrested, charged, tried in court and if found guilty, sentenced to a fine or to imprisonment or both. The conviction will also be recorded on that person's criminal act. This is decriminalization of marijuana. It's not a wide spread open use of marijuana."

"In terms of smoking of marijuana - where the amount in possession is more than 10 grams will no longer be a crime. Where it is done in the person's own home or other specified accommodation with the owners/operators permission. A hotel lodging or other private sleeping accommodation for paying guests which also allows lawful smoking to be carried out. In every case smoking of marijuana would still be govern by the rules on possession of marijuana referred to what I have just mentioned. Smoking of marijuana anywhere else is illegal. It will also assist in the reduction of persons at our prisons and it will also assist the entire criminal justice system ranging from the police to prisons and it would in effect create a cost saving in regards to arresting, sentencing and imprisonment which we all know comes with a budgetary resources that has to be allocated to ensure that these things be carried out. But most important I think this act will also allow for law enforcement personnel and the ministry to focus and concentrate more on the serious crimes that are affecting and plaguing our societies and our communities across this country and like the leader of the opposition said he would have wanted to see the whole legalization of marijuana, but I believe that it is prudent that we as a responsible government take this one step at a time as we progress to ensure that we always make the right decision that will be a betterment for our nation. Thank you."

So the bill has been passed in the house with bi partisan support. But, we stress, it is not yet law. The Senate still has to pass it and then the Governor General has to give his assent.

Channel 7


THE GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION AGREE TO DECRIMINALIZE 10 GRAMS OF MARIJUANA

A total of 12 bills and a $20 million loan motion were discussed at today's House meeting. Among the bills that went for the third and final reading is the Misuse of Drugs Act, which is legislation to decriminalise the use and possession of 10 grams of Marijuana. The Opposition Leader gave his comments on the bill today, citing that while he would have preferred Legalisation, decriminalisation is an important first step. But for those who have been anticipating the piece of legislation, you still have to wait as the bill will be going before the Governor General for assent before it becomes law.


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San Pedro Police Explain New Marijuana Laws at Public Consultation

The consultation began at 6PM, and was facilitated by Senior Superintendent and Legal Officer of the Police Department Bart Jones. "Misinformation is one of the major issues we will face with this new law, as people will feel that they will be able to smoke anywhere," said Jones. The new laws allows a person to smoke/posses 10 grams of marijuana within private property; the public smoking regulations will remain. Also, this new law will not apply to current rules educational institutions have regarding drug policies on school compounds, and students are subject to school regulations. Jones also addressed the issue of establishing disciplinary measures against police officers found in possession of 10 grams or more once the law goes in to effect.

According to the new law, under-age persons found with 10 grams of marijuana or less will not be arrested, but police will confiscate the marijuana. Thereafter the person will be put under the National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) for further assistance, such as drug counselling. Jones further stated that although it is legal to possess and smoke up to 10 grams, this law does not apply to resort guests unless approved by the establishment. Jones believes that positive things will come from this new law. "This new law will allow police officers more time to deal with bigger cases within the society. Also, the court agenda will have more space for other more important issues."

The new law also seeks to eliminate any conviction up to $1,000 for previous marijuana offences an individual may have from their police record. It was also noted that a police officer may not question someone if they are found with 10 grams or less of marijuana, as the Government of Belize is not concerned with where/how the drug was obtained. However, police will continue to target suppliers as drug trafficking is an offence, and the new law only decriminalizes the possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana.

The new law is not yet in effective. It went through its second reading on Friday, October 20th at the House of Representative in Belmopan City, and should go into effect within the next couple of weeks.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun


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Church Senator Refuses to Support Decriminalization of Marijuana

TODAY, the Senate met in Belmopan to consider some of the bills taken to the House last week Friday. A number of important pieces of legislation were debated, but we start first with the debate over the 2017 Amendment Bill for the Misuse of Drugs Act.

That's the bill that was first tabled in August and which legally allows for recreational use of marijuana in quantities of 10 grams or less. Very much like the lower House, the Bill received bi-partisan support, but there were a wide range of views on marijuana decriminalization

We have excerpts of the debate, starting with Church Senator Ashley Rocke's refusal to support the amendment. Here's how that went:

Ashley Rocke - Senator for the Churches
"We understand what you are trying to do, we understand what the law is trying to do but as it relates to the church and its position on the issues of drugs, we cannot support that change. We understand in principle what you are trying to do and what you are trying to accomplish but the question is was there other ways in which this could have been done rather than giving smokers the leeway to smoke, would it not have been better if those people or if the government could have found another way to deal with the drug issue."

Mark Lizarraga - Senator for Business Sector
"I have heard where members of this government, Mr. President, have expressed that this bill is not intended to encourage marijuana use and I believe them and I give them the benefit of all the doubts and I do believe that they are sincere, Mr. Attorney General, in the expression of such. However, in many instances, when mixed with the vast amounts of research that has been conducted on the effects of drugs on brain development and the risk factors that lead to increased usage or as a cause of increased usage, I fear that many aspects of this bill does quite the opposite of what the drafters say."

Mike Peyrefitte - Government Senator
"No proof has been provided to me in my extensive work done on this bill that demonstrates to me that marijuana is any more dangerous than the already legal drugs that I currently use. I drink rum. How is rum, alcohol, liquor, less dangerous than marijuana? We are encouraging mature people who smoke marijuana, which we believe has less of an effect on them than cigarettes and alcohol, to enjoy their marijuana responsibly. All I am saying is that you have people who don't want to smoke cigarettes, don't want to smoke cigars, don't want to drink alcohol, they prefer to smoke marijuana. Why is there such hatred for people who want that particular drug because they are all drugs."

Aldo Salazar - Senator
"The point is that all of a sudden, when this law passes, now everybody is going to run out and start to get high and start to drive their bus and drive their forklift, students are going to start to smoke, go to school, insurance premiums are going to raise and that is really just a fallacious argument because it presupposes that a law like this which decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana will result in a dramatic increase of marijuana use without any evidence iota for that."

Osmany Salas - Senator
"I would like to offer some advice to my fellow senators, in particular, senators for the government side. When we offer comments on this amendment bill I ask you to please don't get overly worked up or overly defensive. This bill will pass, this bill will pass. The two major parties have expressed their support for this bill, so it will pass. And in some respects, it is a very progressive bill."

Dr. Carla Barnett - Senator
"Obviously I rise in support of this amendment. I am not a person who advocates in anyway the use of marijuana. As a matter of fact, I don't advocate the use of any drug except those prescribed by a medical practitioner that is supposed to help you get better. But I do recognize and I believe that we are in a situation in which we have taken a hard-line view on the use of marijuana, a view which does not necessarily coincide with any rational view."

Now, as you heard, the amendment to the law allows for persons to be in possession of not more than 10 grams of marijuana. You cannot take it with you onto the premises of a school, and you can only smoke it in the privacy of your own home, or on your own property.

Now, there is one last step before the law takes effect. The Governor General, directed by the Government, has to sign the law it into effect.

Channel 7


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VIDEO: DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA DRAWS HEATED DEBATE AT SENATE MEETING

The proposed decriminalisation of marijuana legislation went before the Senate yesterday, attracting heavy discussion and debate. Lines were drawn by Senators based on scientific, religious and moral positions and it all made for interesting news. Here are some of the highlights and surprise declarations by some of the Senators.
The bill did pass at the end of the debate and will now be sent to the Governor General for assent, marking the start of a new policy on the limited use of marijuana by the Government.

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The Politics And Business Of Marijuana

by Valerie Woods

With the amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act, an adult will now be able to possess and smoke up to 10 grams of marijuana in the privacy of his/her home and in someone's house or in a hotel room with the consent of the owner.

Although a politically popular move, these persons still cannot grow, buy, import or sell marijuana. So where are persons to get their 10 grams of weed to smoke at home? Where will the tourist get it to smoke it in the hotel room? This is illogical. Cannabis is still an illegal drug in Belize and still listed on the Schedule 1 and Schedule 4 list of drugs in the UN international conventions. Without a strict regulatory framework, we are being irresponsible and sloppy in how we are doing this.�

The 2015 final report of the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DOCM) in its conclusion recommended the decriminalization of the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana.� If the amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act had simply done just this, I would have supported it at last week's Senate meeting.� In addition to no longer having criminal records, decriminalizing possession of this amount would save precious Police and Court time that should be better spent on major offences. Frankly, decriminalization of such possession should have been done a long time ago.

But this bill is doing much more than decriminalizing possession. Under the guise of decriminalization, the government has created a ganja and hemp industry. The DOCM did not in its recommendations suggest that amendments be made to legalize marijuana at this time for medical preparations, for industrial hemp or for limited recreational use. Enforcing these additional amendments as is, government is encouraging an illegal trade. How will this curb the killings that the Police Minister says occur on the Southside of Belize City because of the illegal sale/trade of marijuana?

Without these additional amendments, decriminalization of possession up to 10 grams could still occur. So why is government now rushing these other amendments with no regulations?� The end result is that the process is ill-conceived and illogical.�

Recreational Use
If you can't grow, buy or sell marijuana, then it makes no sense to have a law that says you can smoke up to 10 grams in the privacy of a house or hotel.� Where will you get it from legally?

Medical Marijuana
The amendment now legalizes marijuana for medicinal preparations. However, if the patient can't grow it or buy it how is she/he to use it for medicinal purposes?� How can the doctor prescribe a drug that cannot be sourced legally? What are the regulations for persons to use it medicinally and for medical practitioners to prescribe it? How will the state ensure that persons are indeed using it for medicinal purposes?

Industrial Hemp
The hemp variety of cannabis will now be fully legal. The law refers to a TCH content that is yet to be prescribed. The law is silent on the authority that would license the farming, processing or supply of hemp. �

Hemp and cannabis to the amateur eye are very similar. Without a licensing authority that monitors if it is really hemp that is being farmed, supplied, processed and sold, there will be great opportunity for misuse and exploitation of marijuana.

Hemp is a multi-billion-dollar industry. It is big business. Hemp is used in the manufacture of industrial and consumer textiles, building materials, foods, paper, personal hygiene products, animal feed among others.

Without a regulatory framework, who really benefits from commoditizing this strain of cannabis? Will it be that local farmers will be licensed to grow hemp? Will there be opportunities for everyday, regular Belizeans and small businesses to process or to sell it? Or will it be only for a few selected individuals and businesses with connections to government? Will the licensee for cultivation also be given a license to process or will this be restricted to avoid exploitation and misuse?

On the one hand, the penalties have been lessened for possession of one strain of cannabis for the regular Belizean but on the other hand (without proper regulation) a business opportunity is being created to farm, manufacture, process, and sell another strain of cannabis for profit. Is this going to be a level and responsible playing field?

A More Responsible Approach
We could have proceeded with decriminalizing possession up to 10 grams first and monitored how this was working, providing periodic updates and improving on the amendment if needed.� �

In the interim we could have worked, in a real bipartisan manner,�on the legislation and regulations for the other three amendment areas for a responsible pathway to legalization. This could have been done before presenting a half-baked legislation on legalization for recreational use, hemp and medicinal purposes. This would still have met the objective of decriminalizing possession.

Where Do We Go From Here?
A decision to turn an illegal substance into a legal one, even if in a limited fashion, should not be a rushed decision for the politics of it.� Despite this, the amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act have passed. So what should be done now?�

If we are serious about doing things in the interest of good governance and not just popular politics, there should be a bipartisan committee established posthaste to look at robust regulations.� This should put some logic into these amendments and this should include the establishment of a Cannabis Licensing Authority to properly guide the development of the hemp industry and of ganja for recreational and medicinal use.

Doing this could provide for fair and equitable access to the new hemp business opportunities from these amendments and ensure oversight for permit applications for medical preparations and regulations for recreational use of marijuana. This would be a responsible way forward in an environment where transparency, accountability and compliance with the law is woefully lacking.

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The marijuana bill was signed into law on Thursday by the Governor General.

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Originally Posted by Marty
The marijuana bill was signed into law on Thursday by the Governor General.


When does the new law become affective and enforceable?

i.e On what date can one begin to possess/smoke 10gm or less of marijuana in their home, in the home of a friend (with their permission) or in their hotel room (I assume w/ permission from the hotel to smoke in the room) without fear of arrest &/or prosecution?

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Signed by the GG, its the law of our land now.


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AG Signs Amendment to Misuse of Drugs Act, Possession of Small Amounts of Weed Is Legal

Tonight, if you're an adult in possession of 10 grams of marijuana or less, you are no longer committing a crime. That's because the Governor General signed the amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act into law yesterday.

The decriminalization amendment was passed by parliament last week, and on Tuesday, the National Evangelical Association of Belize came out swinging at the Government, asserting that this is a bad decision.

But, while the churches may criticize, the political parties gave it bi-partisan support, and so, the law is here, and unless or until Parliament decides to repeal it, marijuana possession in small quantities is legal.

This evening, Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte outlined what marijuana smokers can and cannot do:

Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"This week the National Assembly sent the papers to me for verification that all was in order. I signed off on it as attorney general and then it went to the Governor General telling the Governor General that everything is in order and I advised the Governor General to ascent and he so assented yesterday. So the document has been assented to and the law has been officially passed. It will go for a mass printing tomorrow at Print Belize and then from there it will go for distribution in the gazette, the next issue of the gazette, but the law is here. If you are an adult and you have in your possession 10 grams of marijuana or less, you are within the law and it's totally legal. You can be anywhere with those 10 grams or less except on school property."

"And so we are asking people - we pass the law to try and give people a break to say marijuana is your drug of choice, we are going to make a small portion of it legal, but like any other drug, please enjoy it responsibly and know that we want to keep it like any other legal drug away from children."

"You are not allowed to smoke it in public. So you have your 10 grams or less and you want to go home tonight and watch the game or do whatever you do at home, in your yard whatever, you are free to smoke your marijuana tonight and but like I said you cannot legislate parenting either, try not to consume any drug in the presence of your children, including cigarettes and alcohol."

Weed Not For Minors

So, as you heard, adults are allowed to be in possession of 10 grams of marijuana or less. You can smoke it in the privacy of your own home, or in your own yard. You are allowed to smoke it on someone else's premises, with the explicit permission of the owner of residence. If you do not have the permission of the homeowner, and you are caught smoking it, you can be charged. Also, you cannot take the drug with you unto the school compound. If you are caught, you will be warned and subsequent offenses will result in monetary fines.

And while the law relaxes the consequences of marijuana possession or consumption for adults, it's not the same thing for minors. The Attorney General was particularly forceful in making the point that minors caught in possession of the legal quantity of the drug, will be penalized. Here's how he explained the rationale behind that:

Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"We are going to be very strict on minors. The government is not promoting the use of marijuana and especially we are not promoting it, we are not legalizing it at all. If you are a minor and you are in possession of marijuana, you will have to be detained. You have to be arrested. It's just that when you go to court, the court will say good, given this new piece of legislation you young man or young lady we are going to put you through a counseling program. In the coming weeks or days, the minister of police is going to set forth some regulations that would say what the appropriate counseling is, what is the appropriate guidance. Until then the juvenile court will use whatever measures they use currently to punish minors who have committed offences."

"If we notice that a minor is a repeat offender, he keeps getting caught with possession or smoking marijuana, then the minister will also make regulations as to how that person can go through some kind of drug treatment program or recovery program and we will bring the parents into this. We are saying if the government has to keep using resources, because you are not being a good parent and we keep having to counsel and treat your child for an addiction, we are going to have you foot the bill or some of the expenses for doing so, because you are to keep your children away from marijuana, from cigarettes, from alcohol, but we are making it extra stringent when it comes to the marijuana."

Peyrefitte to Churches: Put Up, Light Up, Or Shut Up

We also took the opportunity to ask the Attorney General about the harsh criticism from the National Evangelical Association of Belize. These pastors believed that GOB completely ignored their objections, and the opposition of others who think that decriminalization is a mistake.

Peyrefitte pulled no punches when he responded saying that this was not a unilateral decision, as NEAB is suggesting it to be:

Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"Let me be very calm. I'll try to be very calm about the church the way I try very hard to be calm about the CCJ. Given what the church has been found guilty of in recent years - I think priests and pastors have no moral authority to try and judge anybody out here who wants to smoke marijuana. They just object for object sake."

Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"They suggest in their press conference a few days ago that the government ignored their packet in where 200 plus pastors voiced their discontent. Is that true?"

Hon. Michael Peyrefitte
"Daniel, let me stop you. They are pastors in their churches. They need to go preach in their churches. If you want to make legislation pastors, you put your name on a ballot, you run for office. If your party wins and you get into cabinet or you're the prime minister or a majority in the house, then you can pass whatever law you want to pass."

"You are a pastor, be a pastor. You want to be a law maker, then you come and you be a law maker. You offer yourself to the people. Of course we listen to what they said. We listen to what everybody had to say, but at the end of the day, as the law makers, the members of the house, the members of the senate had to then come up with what was best for everybody and for those who want to yelled and talk from the cheap seats, come down, put your name on a ballot, run for office and then you can pass the laws you want or repeal the law that we just passed. Until then just shut up."

AG Concedes Law Is Very Imperfect

But, while the Attorney General doesn't have much patience for the church's spin on how Government viewed their objection, the fact is that both sides share the concern that the law is imperfect.

It makes it legal to be in possession of small quantities of marijuana, but it does not address the purchase or sale of marijuana, and other activities like cultivation. So, basically, you can possess 10 grams, but you can't buy it, or grow it.

When we asked Peyrefitte about the mixed messages, he conceded that there are gaps. He explained the Government's position on those other activities which are still illegal:

Reporter
"You have people who are growing, you have people who are retailing [marijuana] and those 2 acts are illegal in the eyes of the law."

Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"Well you see Isani, we will see how it will work when it gets into practice. I have never shy away from the fact that the position of cabinet is that we have a wet foot, dry foot policy. If for those of you not familiar with that, the Cubans leaves Cuba in a boat - if you make it to the shores of the United States you are home free. If United States Coast Guard catches you out at sea, then they send you back to Cuba. So if you make it there, there is no questions asked, but you have to make it there. You cannot grow it, you cannot distribute it. It's not for commercial sale or trade. I saw somebody on facebook saying I have the good marijuana now and its legal you can come and buy it. That's completely illegal. But we are saying if you happen to have your 10 grams or less and you have been shifty enough to get to that point, then you're home free. It's not a perfect piece of legislation, but we had to start somewhere."

"We want to do or take baby steps in this process. You could go for full legalization which has its own problems and issues or we could keep the law as it was before and that obviously had its own issues and problems. So what do we do? We had to chop this proverbial baby in half. It's not perfect, far from perfect, but what we are asking is for those people who do smoke, to do it responsibly."

Decriminalization and The Weed Wars

There is also that school of thought that the decriminalization of small quantities of marijuana will fuel the weed wars in the streets, which police say has been driving city homicides.

The Attorney General said he doesn't buy that:

Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"With maximum respect to those who hold that position as some senior police officers hold that position. I think there is just a general sense of lawlessness in this country that's unacceptable at this point. You have people punching females' officers and people abusing other people like that. I will not buy hook line and sinker that it is a marijuana issue. Yes you can make the case that in the trade people would get from other dealers and the sell and then when they can't pay, then they run themselves into trouble. But that has nothing to do with marijuana itself. It has to do with anything. If you sell land and you don't pay who you need to pay, you run into trouble with people. Bad business practices, worthlessness, irresponsibility and downright thievery. We are living a type of lifestyle many of us that's dangerous and that's lawless and I don't think that it has to do with marijuana. Put it this way, marijuana as of a couple days ago was completely illegal and look at the violence we had in that short period of time before that. This is not going to make it worse. This is not going to bring a violence that wasn't already there. So I don't think that just the simple existence of marijuana or the legality of it or the pending legality of it a couple weeks ago was what made violence so high/ I think that we have become very, very violent."

Channel 7


Police legal adviser makes clarification about the legal possession of 10 grams of cannabis

Members of the public are no longer at risk of being charged or arrested if they are found with 10 grams or less of marijuana. They can now smoke marijuana in their homes or in other buildings where approval has been granted by the building owners.

However, according to the new law which decriminalizes possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana, it is still illegal to be found with cannabis in schools or other places of education. Senior Superintendent Bart Jones, legal adviser to the police, in an interview with us today, calls on policemen to be professionals: 10 grams, no charge.

Jones explained that if a person is stopped and searched and cannabis is found in his or her possession, and there is a doubt about the quantity, that person is to be taken to the nearest police station, where the cannabis will be weighed, and if it is 10 grams or less, the person is to be released, but if the cannabis weighs more than 10 grams, then the person will face charges for drug possession or drug trafficking, depending on the quantity.

Jones, in outlining how the law applies to possession of cannabis on a school compound, explained that if a parent goes to his child's school and he is searched and found with the drug, it will be taken away and he will be warned.

If a student is found with cannabis, it will be taken away and he or she will be warned by the school.

If the drug is found again in their possession, the Family Unit and the Social Services will be contacted and the student will have to attend counseling sessions.

Amandala


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1 Small Step for Weed - 1 Giant Leap to Cultivation?

A persistent question being asked is, if the law can ease up on users of marijuana, what happens to those who plant fields and cultivate and sell "weed" for recreational purposes? As is evident from crackdowns by the Gang Suppression Unit and other elements of the Police Department, those persons remain afoul of the law. Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte says a positive reaction to the recent changes may inform Government's next steps. That would be a boon for Reggie Hamilton, who mentioned his hopes that it will soon not be a crime for him to "experiment" with the medicinal properties of marijuana in his various natural healing products.

Reginald "Reggie" Hamilton, Naturalist Healer

"I would prefer to at least have the availability to cultivate or plant my own little tree but I cannot do so because of the situation and the red tape surrounding having a marijuana tree and now having more than ten grams, per se."

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General

"It's illegal. If you do that you're going to be arrested and charged. We are not there where we want to allow the public or anybody to grow or cultivate marijuana. This was a small step that we took; it is the people who smoke marijuana and demonstrate what they are doing so for, they are being very responsible and very smart in how they are doing it. Once we realize that it can be enjoyed responsibly, and once we listen to what the Commission has to say and what the input of the Belizean public is, we can go from there to take further steps. But for now, we are satisfied with that one small step that we took; it's working. Let's incrementally go to another step and then we will see where we go from there. We are not there yet where we believe that it's in the best interest of the public to grow and cultivate marijuana. We are not there yet; but who knows? We may get there, depending on how people handle it, and what is the response of the public."


A.G. Says New Law Didn't End the World

Closer to home, how have things been going since marijuana decriminalization went into effect on November first? Very well, according to Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, who told us that the effect of the law depends on responsible parents and adults to show the way. There is admittedly some lagging in other aspects of the legislation, such as drug counseling programs and specific laws on handling of minors with marijuana but the A.G. assures that this will soon be remedied.

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General

"It seems to me that from the reports I've been getting - from the police, from the streets, from everybody - it is going smoothly. Contrary to what the naysayers and people who were swearing that the apocalypse would occur, it has gone very, very well. The people who are responsible - responsible parents who consume marijuana and even people who are not parents - have decided to consume it responsibly. So it is going very smoothly and certainly the world has not ended. We are hoping that - and we are still in the process of writing regulations to deal with the youths and young people that want to smoke marijuana and can't or won't be allowed to by law. We hope that we don't need to write regulations because we are hoping that people will respect and understand what it is for. But we are still writing the regulations, we are still putting the institutional structures that we have to, to deal with those who fall through the cracks; but I must say the way it is proceeding so far, it has been a tremendous success. We like the law that has been put in place; hopefully, the views that will be expressed to the Commission today, we can use some of those views to benefit locally, how we can make it better or to tweak it to a level where we can say we have a well-seasoned piece of legislation that address people who want to smoke their marijuana responsibly who are adults."

Channel 5



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Your argument that there are potential positive uses of marijuana has merit. The point about the Belize government being responsible to regulate it dramatically weakens your argument.

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