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Now during those elimination rounds several topics were argued such as the impact of media on society and law reform among others, but for this final round - it was all about Weed. The specific topic was: "The criminal legislation of marijuana has been a major discussion in many countries. Do you believe that marijuana should be legalized in Belize?" Tough question and Courtney Weatherburne was there to hear both sides of the argument:

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Whether its weed, ganja, spliff or any other name used, this herb is all around us.

It is sung and celebrated in music, in movies and even more so on the streets. It has become a ubiquitous reality that some have openly embraced while others have resoundingly refused.

Today at the 2016 Social Security Debate Finals, both sides of the argument were disputed at the Princess Hotel and Casino.

The Ecumenical Junior College were for the legalization of Marijuana while the Corozal Junior College were against it.

Pearla Martinez - Ecumenical Junior College
"According to the United Nations approximately 158.8 million people around the world use marijuana, equating to more than 3.8 percent the planets' population. This brings us to the point that the legalization of marijuana should no longer be the topic of debate, but rather when it will be legalize and what structure should be put in place to ensure a smooth transition. My colleagues and I will elaborate on the many medical and alternative uses of marijuana. We will substantiate how our nation can capitalize on what is a billion dollar industry."

Hanna Lee - Corozal Junior College
"Today we take stand point that marijuana should not be legalize in Belize. We will do so by looking at other countries who undertook this perils act and are now living in the shadows of regret and despair. Whatever so called benefits that may be thrown out today could never counter balance the irreparable damage that could be caused to individuals in our society. Our societies are functioning successfully because of we have been able to establish systems and procedures that govern our behavior. Without rules humans are essentially relegated to beast. If marijuana were to be legalized we would be opening Pandora's Box, spreading loose social evils that could wreck our societies as we know them."

As you heard in their opening statements, one of the arguments presented by the Ecumenical team was centered on the increased economic impact the legalization can have while the Corozal group rebutted that by stating that a thriving weed industry and increased savings of public funds are not guaranteed.

Pearla Martinez - Ecumenical Junior College
"Discussions with marijuana dealers in Belize reveal a daily scale value of approximately 1,500 dollars at times, that's a months' salary at a teacher at payscale 14 but that teacher's salary is taxed, while the drug dealer's sales are all his until he needs to restock his marijuana supply, this is a direct loss to our government revenue and to our people. Monies that could have been used to pay our national debt and implement programs to empower our youth."

Mikael Gilharry - Corozal Junior College
"You stated that legalizing marijuana will decrease drug trade will help the police save funds, but drug traffic gangs do not only traffic marijuana, they traffic - that's why they are called drug dealers because they have a collection of drugs that they trafficked."

The Ecumenical team also presented the vast health benefits of marijuana but the Corozal crew countered that argument by outlining the harmful effects of smoking weed.

Kenroy Elijio - Ecumenical Junior College
"If marijuana is legalized it will not only be smoked. As we mentioned in our first argument is how 400 plus medicinal purposes. It can be used different ways, boiled and for body creams and different means. Also a USDA research on the lethal, to test if a drug is lethal and the dosage, well, when conducted, marijuana is not lethal. In order for it to be lethal, an individual has to smoke 1,500 lbs. of weed in 15 minutes for it to be lethal."

Hanna Lee - Corozal Junior College
"The national research council has concluded that "the long term use of marijuana may alter the nervous system in ways that promote violence" though often counted as a well-functioning city with a relax attitude towards drugs and Amsterdam has become one of the most violent cities in Europe with cannabis courts having its experience exponential increases in crime rate."

But after several rounds of arguments, rebuttals and questions the Ecumenical team won the debate. They told us all their hard work paid off.

Kenroy Elijio - Ecumenical Junior College
"I recall getting prepared for this debate that after school immediately after, we got straight into debate meeting. I must say that the teammates did not watch the time we didn't care what time it was, we made sure we put in the necessary work. We went beyond just researching. We actually did interviews with people. We got other people's opinion."

Mikael Gilharry - Corozal Junior College
"We greatly appreciate what the Social Security Board is doing. Of course we would have liked to win but every competition must have a first and second place and honestly we gave it our all. We prepared very extensively for this topic and the result was what is was. We really admire EJC, they were by far one of the hardest competitors we have had."

While this is just a competition, the main objective is to engage young people in the discussion of national issues.

Gayle Ozaeta - SSB Communications Rep.
"The importance of having the debate offered by Social Security is basically to engage our communities and at the same time selecting a specific sector for society that would be engaged in these specific types of discussions."

Ecumenical Junior College team got laptops and a trophy as their prize. The next SSB debate series is set for 2017.