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{{short description|Use of |
{{short description|Use of cannabis in Belize}} |
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The use of '''cannabis in Belize''' is common and largely tolerated; however, possession can result in fines or imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hubbard|first=Kirsten|title=Drug Laws and Penalties in Central America|url=http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/culturehistory/p/Central-America-Drug-Laws-And-Penalties.htm|publisher=About.com| |
The use of '''cannabis in Belize''' is common and largely tolerated; however, possession can result in fines or imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hubbard|first=Kirsten|title=Drug Laws and Penalties in Central America|url=http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/culturehistory/p/Central-America-Drug-Laws-And-Penalties.htm|publisher=About.com|access-date=2 January 2014|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226021447/https://www.tripsavvy.com/central-america-drug-laws-and-penalties-1490429|url-status=dead}}</ref> Possession or use of 10 grams or less on private premises was decriminalized in November 2017. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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== Use == |
== Use == |
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According to a 2016 report by the [[United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime]] approximately 8.5% of all Belizeans use [[cannabis]]. Belize was ranked 18th out of all countries in prevalence of cannabis use, higher than both the [[Netherlands]] and [[Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Belize weighs in on world weed list|url=https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2016/12/02/belize-weighs-world-weed-list/| |
According to a 2016 report by the [[United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime]] approximately 8.5% of all Belizeans use [[cannabis]]. Belize was ranked 18th out of all countries in prevalence of cannabis use, higher than both the [[Netherlands]] and [[Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Belize weighs in on world weed list|url=https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2016/12/02/belize-weighs-world-weed-list/|access-date=30 April 2017|work=Breaking Belize News|date=2 December 2016}}</ref> |
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== Decriminalization == |
== Decriminalization == |
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In 2012, the Government of Belize announced that it was considering decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Decriminalization of Marijuana |url=http://www.belize.gov.bz/public/Data/271616513971.pdf |date=16 July 2012 |publisher=Government of Belize | |
In 2012, the Government of Belize announced that it was considering decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Decriminalization of Marijuana |url=http://www.belize.gov.bz/public/Data/271616513971.pdf |date=16 July 2012 |publisher=Government of Belize |access-date=5 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505234807/http://www.belize.gov.bz/public/Data/271616513971.pdf |archive-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> The US State department claims that "Through the first 10 months of 2014, Belizean authorities eradicated over 100,000 cannabis plants".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.everydayoptimalcbd.com/belize-decriminalization|title=Belize Decriminalization|date=June 9, 2015}}</ref> On October 20, 2017, the [[House of Representatives (Belize)|House of Representatives]] passed an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act decriminalizing possession or use of 10 grams or less on private premises.<ref>{{cite news|title=Marijuana Decriminalization Legislation Passed By House|url=http://7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=42333|access-date=23 October 2017|work=7 News Belize|date=20 October 2017}}</ref> The bill was signed into law in early November by the Governor General,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marijuana.com/news/2017/11/belize-decriminalizes-marijuana-possession/|title = Weedmaps News - the Latest Marijuana & Cannabis News Today}}</ref> despite objections from the [[National Evangelical Association of Belize]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.guardian.bz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14372:churches-complain-about-marijuana-law&catid=40:politics&Itemid=90|title = The Guardian Newspaper | News}}</ref> |
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== Legalization == |
== Legalization == |
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Although legalization of cannabis has never been officially considered by the government, some prominent public figures in Belize have supported the idea. In 2017, the [[Leader of the Opposition (Belize)|Leader of the Opposition]], [[John Briceño]], stated, "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 legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes and in small quantities."<ref>{{cite news|title=Caye Caulker group says decriminalizing marijuana will improve the economy|url=https://www.sanpedrosun.com/business-and-economy/2017/04/29/caye-caulker-group-says-decriminalizing-marijuana-will-improve-economy/| |
Although legalization of cannabis has never been officially considered by the government, some prominent public figures in Belize have supported the idea. In 2017, the [[Leader of the Opposition (Belize)|Leader of the Opposition]], [[John Briceño]], stated, "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 legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes and in small quantities."<ref>{{cite news|title=Caye Caulker group says decriminalizing marijuana will improve the economy|url=https://www.sanpedrosun.com/business-and-economy/2017/04/29/caye-caulker-group-says-decriminalizing-marijuana-will-improve-economy/|access-date=30 April 2017|work=The San Pedro Sun|date=29 April 2017}}</ref> In a 2017 op-ed, former Senator [[Lisa Shoman]] stated, "There is no rational excuse to refuse to move past decriminalization to legalization of personal use amounts for adults."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shoman|first1=Lisa|title=Marijuana - Time to legalize it!|url=https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2017/04/20/marijuana-time-legalize-it/|access-date=30 April 2017|work=Breaking Belize News|date=20 April 2017}}</ref> |
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==Tourism== |
==Tourism== |
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In 2016, an American tourist off a cruise ship was arrested for purchasing 1.8 grams of cannabis in Belize City. Her charges were dismissed, with the judge noting the cannabis was sold openly to her and she appeared to believe it was legal, and she was cautioned against ever possessing drugs in Belize again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=36039 |title=Court Says Cruise |
In 2016, an American tourist off a cruise ship was arrested for purchasing 1.8 grams of cannabis in Belize City. Her charges were dismissed, with the judge noting the cannabis was sold openly to her and she appeared to believe it was legal, and she was cautioned against ever possessing drugs in Belize again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=36039 |title=Court Says Cruise Visitor's Cannabis Cool |publisher=7 News Belize |date=2016-04-19 |access-date=2017-02-11}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{reflist |
{{reflist}} |
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{{portalbar|Cannabis|Belize}} |
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{{Cannabis by country}} |
{{Cannabis by country}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Society of Belize]] |
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[[Category:Cannabis by country|Belize]] |
[[Category:Cannabis by country|Belize]] |
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[[Category:Politics of Belize]] |
[[Category:Politics of Belize]] |
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[[Category:Cannabis in Central America|Belize]] |
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[[Category:Cannabis in Latin America|Belize]] |
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{{belize-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 06:07, 5 November 2023
The use of cannabis in Belize is common and largely tolerated; however, possession can result in fines or imprisonment.[1] Possession or use of 10 grams or less on private premises was decriminalized in November 2017.
History[edit]
Belize was until the 1980s the fourth-largest exporter of cannabis to the United States, behind Colombia, Mexico, and Jamaica. But since the mid-1980s, Belize's production has dropped dramatically due to eradication efforts by the Belizean government, supported by the United States. By 1994, Belizean production was at "negligible levels."[2]
Use[edit]
According to a 2016 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime approximately 8.5% of all Belizeans use cannabis. Belize was ranked 18th out of all countries in prevalence of cannabis use, higher than both the Netherlands and Jamaica.[3]
Decriminalization[edit]
In 2012, the Government of Belize announced that it was considering decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis.[4] The US State department claims that "Through the first 10 months of 2014, Belizean authorities eradicated over 100,000 cannabis plants".[5] On October 20, 2017, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act decriminalizing possession or use of 10 grams or less on private premises.[6] The bill was signed into law in early November by the Governor General,[7] despite objections from the National Evangelical Association of Belize.[8]
Legalization[edit]
Although legalization of cannabis has never been officially considered by the government, some prominent public figures in Belize have supported the idea. In 2017, the Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño, stated, "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 legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes and in small quantities."[9] In a 2017 op-ed, former Senator Lisa Shoman stated, "There is no rational excuse to refuse to move past decriminalization to legalization of personal use amounts for adults."[10]
Tourism[edit]
In 2016, an American tourist off a cruise ship was arrested for purchasing 1.8 grams of cannabis in Belize City. Her charges were dismissed, with the judge noting the cannabis was sold openly to her and she appeared to believe it was legal, and she was cautioned against ever possessing drugs in Belize again.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ Hubbard, Kirsten. "Drug Laws and Penalties in Central America". About.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ Humberto Garcia Muniz; Jorge RodrIguez Beruff (27 July 2016). Security Problems and Policies in the Post-Cold War Caribbean. Springer. pp. 182–. ISBN 978-1-349-24493-5.
- ^ "Belize weighs in on world weed list". Breaking Belize News. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "Decriminalization of Marijuana" (PDF). Government of Belize. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ^ "Belize Decriminalization". June 9, 2015.
- ^ "Marijuana Decriminalization Legislation Passed By House". 7 News Belize. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
- ^ "Weedmaps News - the Latest Marijuana & Cannabis News Today".
- ^ "The Guardian Newspaper | News".
- ^ "Caye Caulker group says decriminalizing marijuana will improve the economy". The San Pedro Sun. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ Shoman, Lisa (20 April 2017). "Marijuana - Time to legalize it!". Breaking Belize News. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "Court Says Cruise Visitor's Cannabis Cool". 7 News Belize. 2016-04-19. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
