Weed In Belize: What's The Deal?

Marijuana laws in Belize are a little hazy. While the country amended its Misuse of Drugs Act in 2017 to decriminalize the possession and consumption of up to 10 grams of marijuana on private property, it remains illegal to buy, sell, or grow it. This has left some confusion around how people can obtain marijuana for legal consumption. Marijuana use is common and largely tolerated in Belize, but possession can result in fines or imprisonment. In 2022, the government passed the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill, which outlined a framework for the full legalization of marijuana and industry guidelines for legal cultivation and sale. However, due to opposition from the church and other sectors, the bill was halted and a referendum on the issue was proposed for September 2022. That referendum has since been cancelled, leaving the country in a state of legal limbo.

Marijuana is decriminalised in Belize, but it's still illegal to buy, sell or grow it

Marijuana laws in Belize are a little hazy. While the country amended its Misuse of Drugs Act in 2017 to decriminalise the possession and use of up to 10 grams of cannabis on private premises, it is still illegal to buy, sell or grow marijuana.

The 2017 amendment was a step forward in the Central American country's weed policy, placing it ahead of its neighbouring countries. However, the lack of clarity in the amendment has caused confusion. For instance, it is not clear whether the 10-gram limit applies to the amount an individual can carry on their person, in their home, or both.

Despite the decriminalisation of possession and personal use, the amendment maintained the illegality of everything else, including the buying, selling, growing, and transporting of marijuana. This means that while individuals can possess and use small amounts of cannabis without facing criminal charges, there is no legal way to obtain it. As a result, the amendment has been criticised for its vagueness and lack of practical implementation.

In 2022, the Belizean government passed the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill through both houses of the National Assembly. This bill outlined a framework for the full legalisation of marijuana, including guidelines for the legal cultivation and sale of the plant. However, due to opposition from the church and other sectors, the bill was halted before it could be signed into law, and a referendum on the issue was proposed instead. As of August 2024, there has been no progress on setting a new date for the referendum, and the full legalisation of marijuana in Belize remains on hold.

It is worth noting that the use of cannabis in Belize is common and largely tolerated, with an estimated 8.5% of the population using it, according to a 2016 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. However, possession can still result in fines or imprisonment, and it is illegal to smoke in public places, including beaches.

So, while marijuana is technically decriminalised in Belize, the lack of a legal supply chain means that it is not as simple as just buying it from a store. The situation is further complicated by the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the 2017 amendment and the ongoing debate over full legalisation. As such, individuals must exercise caution when navigating marijuana use and possession in Belize, as the legal landscape remains complex and evolving.

It's illegal to smoke weed in public in Belize

While the possession of cannabis in Belize has been decriminalised, it is still illegal to smoke it in public, including on the beach. In 2017, Belize amended its Misuse of Drugs Act to allow the use of marijuana on private property, with the amount possessed not exceeding 10 grams. However, the amendment does not specify where the marijuana can be obtained, as buying, selling, and growing marijuana are all illegal.

The 2017 amendment was criticised for its lack of clarity, and it is still unclear whether the 10-gram limit applies to an individual's person, property, or both. Despite the ambiguity, the law is enforced, and possession of more than the allowed amount can result in fines or imprisonment.

In 2022, the Belizean government passed the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill, which outlined a framework for the full legalisation of marijuana, including industry guidelines for cultivation and sale. However, due to opposition from various sectors, including the church, a referendum on the issue was scheduled for September 2022. Unfortunately, the referendum was cancelled due to the projected $5 million cost, and there has been no further progress on rescheduling it.

Belize has a history of cannabis production and consumption, and it was once the fourth-largest exporter of cannabis to the United States. While production has decreased significantly since the 1980s due to eradication efforts, the use of cannabis in Belize remains common and largely tolerated. According to a 2016 report, approximately 8.5% of Belizeans use cannabis, giving the country one of the highest marijuana use rates in Central America.

While the possession and private consumption of small amounts of marijuana have been decriminalised, it is important to remember that smoking it in public remains illegal in Belize. The laws may be vague, but it is essential to respect them to avoid any legal repercussions.

In 2022, the Belizean government passed a bill outlining a framework for the full legalisation of marijuana

In 2022, the Belizean government passed a bill that outlined a framework for the full legalisation of marijuana. The Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill was passed in the National Assembly on 30 March. The bill included industry guidelines for the legal cultivation and sale of the plant. Despite little opposition from politicians, the Council of Churches, long-standing opponents of marijuana legalisation, managed to raise enough signatures to force the bill to a referendum.

The bill was a significant step towards the full legalisation of marijuana in Belize. Prior to the bill, in 2017, the Misuse of Drugs Act was amended to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis and remove hemp from the controlled substances list. This amendment allowed for the legal use of marijuana on private property, with a limit of 10 grams. However, the amendment was criticised for its lack of clarity, as it did not address how individuals could obtain marijuana legally.

The 2022 bill aimed to address these ambiguities by providing a comprehensive framework for the legalisation of marijuana. It sought to establish regulations for the cultivation, distribution, and sale of marijuana in Belize. The bill was supported by proponents of legalisation, who argued that it would boost the economy, create jobs, and reduce the workload on the police department.

However, despite the progress made with the passing of the bill, the push for full legalisation faced setbacks. Opposition to the bill grew, with the banking sector and segments of the tourism industry joining the Council of Churches in their opposition. Additionally, in April 2023, an incident involving marijuana-infused candies being sold to children outside a Belize City primary school strengthened the position of anti-legalisation campaigners. As a result, the referendum, which was tentatively set for September 2022, was cancelled due to the estimated $5 million cost of holding it.

The cancellation of the referendum meant that the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill was sent back to the legislature, leaving the future of full marijuana legalisation in Belize uncertain.

The Council of Churches gathered enough signatures to force the bill to a referendum

In 2022, Belize's government passed the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill through both houses of the National Assembly. The bill outlined a framework for the full legalization of marijuana and included industry guidelines for the legal cultivation and sale of the plant. However, the legalization process was halted when the Council of Churches, long-standing opponents of marijuana legalization, gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the bill.

The Council of Churches submitted petitions to the Governor-General of Belize, meeting the required threshold of 10% of the population, or 20,000 signatures, to trigger a referendum. The Council of Churches has been a vocal opponent of marijuana legalization and has argued that it could lead to increased use among teenagers. They were joined in their opposition by the banking sector and segments of the tourism industry, reflecting a range of concerns about the potential social and economic impacts of legalization.

The referendum, initially set for September 2022, was cancelled due to the anticipated $5 million cost. Since then, there has been no progress in setting a new date, and the bill has been sent back to the legislature, leaving the future of marijuana legalization in Belize uncertain.

The use of cannabis in Belize is common, with an estimated 8.5% of the population using it, and it is largely tolerated. However, the laws surrounding marijuana in Belize are complex and ambiguous. While the 2017 amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act decriminalized the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis on private property, the sale, cultivation, and public consumption of cannabis remain illegal. This has created a legal grey area, where private use is tolerated but the lack of a legal market for production and sale persists.

The referendum was cancelled due to the cost and there is currently no date set for a new one

In 2022, the Belizean government passed the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill through both houses of the National Assembly. The bill outlined a framework for the full legalisation of marijuana in Belize, as well as industry guidelines for the legal cultivation and sale of the plant. However, the Council of Churches, long-standing opponents of marijuana legalisation in Belize, managed to gather enough signatures to force the bill through to a referendum.

Opposition to the bill grew, with the banking sector and segments of the tourism industry joining the Council of Churches. By July 2022, the referendum, which was tentatively set for September, was cancelled. One of the main reasons for the cancellation was the anticipated cost of $5 million to hold the referendum. Since then, there has been no progress made in setting a new date for the referendum.

While the full legalisation of marijuana in Belize is currently off the table, the possession of small amounts of cannabis has been decriminalised since 2017. Individuals are allowed to possess up to 10 grams of cannabis on private premises, but everything else, including buying, selling, and growing marijuana, remains illegal.

Despite the decriminalisation, the purchase and use of marijuana in Belize can be risky. Marijuana is commonly sold openly in Belize, but there have been reports of tourists being arrested shortly after making a purchase. Additionally, police can stop and search anyone in the street, and possession of over 10 grams can result in fines or imprisonment.

While Belize is one of the more progressive countries in Central America regarding marijuana policy, the legalisation of marijuana remains a contentious issue. The government and proponents of legalisation face opposition from various sectors, including the church, the banking sector, and the tourism industry.

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