Click here to print
They Want You At The Marijuana Forum
Tue, November 21, 2017
On last Tuesday's news, we told you about the national marijuana consultations that the Attorney General's Ministry intends to carry out in collaboration with CARICOM's Regional Commission on Marijuana.

It's been 2 weeks now that the marijuana decriminalization amendment has been in effect. And, even though the opponents of this decision may believe that a conversation on full legalization is way too early, it will start in 2 days.

The CARICOM commission is visiting all the Caribbean nations to get their perspective on whether legalization of marijuana is a good idea or not. They will then compile a report and present it the CARICOM Heads of Government.

Today, the Solicitor General invited everyone to participate. He said that the Commission wants everyone's views, no matter what their position on marijuana is:

Nigel Hawke - Solicitor General
"It's basically a regional commission set up by through the CARICOM Secretariat. There are about 4 commissioners. I think the sole and fundamental purpose of the commission is really to go on a fact-finding mission, to conduct consultations with respect to members of the public, persons who are generally concerned with the issue of marijuana, as to the social, health legal issues impacting the use of marijuana within the region. I know that they've done consultations so far in Antigua, and a few other jurisdictions. So, they will be coming to Belize on Thursday, the 23rd to conduct consultations and that will be held at the Belize Best Western Biltmore, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. So, they will be dealing with target audience, like faith-based organizations, NGO, and so on. And in the evening, there will be a session open to members of the public, which will be in the form of a Town Hall type of meeting."

"They are fundamentally putting together a report for the Heads of Government, in terms of making recommendations as to whether the use of marijuana should be declassified, within the region, well basically whether it should be made legal in a sense. So, it's based on the consultations, the feedback from the jurisdictions, they will then, based on those responses, make the necessary recommendations, and based on their findings and their report."

But, is the Government bracing for another quarrel with the church over marijuana? You'll remember that just days after the decriminalization amendment was passed by the House, the National Evangelical Association of Belize came out swinging against the government. They asserted the Government completely ignored their strong objections. The Sol Gen told us that in these legalization talks, the Church is being given a forum to voice their opinions, and the organizers are hoping that they will make use of it:

Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"They were on this trend of thought that the decriminalization was simply a first step toward full legalization. Do you foresee as the Sol Gen that just consideration - or a discussion on whether legalization should take place will spark that sort of outrage again?"

Nigel Hawke - Solicitor General
"It may, and in fairness that is all a part of our democratic system, and I should say that the churches are involved in this consultation process. We want to hear from everybody. But, it doesn't mean because you've passed a law, it means that you will then propel to the issue of total legalization. Everything will take some time, and I think it's important for us to see what the Regional Commission puts forward in their report, and what recommendations they make. And that will certainly inform our process here locally. And it can certainly enure to our benefit."

The consultations take place on Thursday at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel. It will be an all-day event, and we'll be there to show you how that goes.

Close this window