Cannabis Laws In Belize: What You Need To Know

Belize has a complicated history with cannabis. While the country has made some moves towards decriminalisation, the drug remains illegal in many instances. In 2017, the Belize government amended the Misuse of Drugs Act to decriminalise the possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis on private property. However, buying, selling and growing cannabis are still illegal, and possession of larger amounts can result in fines or imprisonment.

Cannabis use in Belize is common and largely tolerated, but possession can result in fines or imprisonment

Belize has a history of cannabis production and consumption. Until the 1980s, Belize was the fourth-largest exporter of cannabis to the United States. However, due to eradication efforts, production has dropped significantly since then. According to a 2016 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, approximately 8.5% of Belizeans use cannabis, ranking the country 18th in the world in prevalence of cannabis use.

In recent years, there have been efforts to further legalise or decriminalise cannabis in Belize. In 2022, the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill, which outlined a framework for full legalisation, passed through both houses of the National Assembly. However, due to opposition from religious groups, the bill did not become law and was instead sent back to the legislature.

While cannabis use may be tolerated in certain circumstances, possession of large amounts, public smoking, and selling are illegal in Belize and can result in fines or imprisonment. As such, visitors to Belize should exercise caution and respect local laws and customs.

In 2017, Belize amended its Misuse of Drugs Act to decriminalise marijuana use on private property

In 2017, Belize amended its Misuse of Drugs Act, a national drug control law that divides drugs into three classes, to decriminalise the use of marijuana on private property. The amendment, which was signed into law by the Governor-General, allows individuals to possess and consume up to 10 grams of marijuana on private premises without facing criminal charges. However, it is important to note that the amendment does not legalise marijuana, and other activities related to the drug, such as growing, buying, or transporting it, remain illegal.

The decriminalisation of marijuana in Belize has placed the country at the forefront of Central American nations in terms of progressive cannabis policies. Prior to the 2017 amendment, Belize had a history of cannabis production and exportation, ranking as the fourth-largest exporter to the United States in the 1980s. However, eradication efforts by the Belizean government, supported by the US, led to a significant decline in production by the mid-1980s, reaching negligible levels by 1994.

Despite the decriminalisation, the 2017 amendment has been criticised for its lack of clarity. For example, the law does not clearly define what constitutes "private property", and there is ambiguity around the possession limit of 10 grams. Nonetheless, the amendment represents a significant step towards legalised recreational cannabis use in Belize.

Since the 2017 amendment, there have been further efforts to legalise and regulate the adult-use cannabis market in Belize. In July 2021, amendments to the Act were introduced to create a legal supply chain through various license types. These regulations were later reformatted and reintroduced as the Cannabis Regulation and Licensing Bill in February 2022. While these efforts indicate a move towards full legalisation, strong opposition, particularly from religious groups, has slowed progress.

In conclusion, while the 2017 amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act in Belize did not fully legalise marijuana, it represented a significant step towards decriminalisation and the creation of a regulated market. The amendment allows individuals to possess and consume small amounts of marijuana on private property without criminal charges, but other activities related to the drug remain illegal. As Belize continues to navigate the legalisation process, it remains a leader in progressive cannabis policies among Central American nations.

It is still illegal to grow, buy or transport marijuana in Belize

While the possession and consumption of small amounts of marijuana on private property have been decriminalized in Belize, it is still illegal to grow, buy, or transport the substance.

In 2017, Belize amended its Misuse of Drugs Act to allow for the legal possession and use of marijuana on private property. This amendment was passed with bipartisan support and placed Belize at the forefront of Central American countries advocating for the legalization of cannabis consumption. Despite this, the amendment does not specify how individuals can obtain marijuana, as it is still illegal to grow, buy, or transport it.

The 2017 amendment states that individuals will not face criminal charges for possessing up to ten grams of marijuana on their person or property. However, it is important to note that this law does not provide a clear definition of "private property." While it likely includes someone's house, it does not extend to businesses such as bars or restaurants.

The decriminalization of marijuana in Belize has been criticized for its lack of clarity. While individuals can possess and consume small amounts of marijuana without facing criminal charges, the means to obtain it legally remain unclear. This ambiguity has led to confusion and highlights the complexities surrounding marijuana legalization in the country.

Additionally, it is important to note that the laws regarding marijuana in Belize may be subject to change in the future. While full legalization was proposed in the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill, which passed through both houses of the National Assembly in 2022, the referendum on this bill was cancelled due to opposition from various sectors, including the church, the banking sector, and segments of the tourism industry. As a result, the bill is currently back with the legislature, and the future of marijuana legalization in Belize remains uncertain.

The Belizean government has traditionally taken a zero-tolerance approach towards the cultivation, sale, possession and consumption of all recreational drugs

The Belizean government has traditionally taken a zero-tolerance stance towards the cultivation, sale, possession, and consumption of all recreational drugs. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards a more progressive approach, particularly regarding cannabis legislation.

In 2012, the Belizean government announced the formation of a committee to evaluate a proposal to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis. This committee, known as the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DOMC), was chaired by Douglas Singh, the former Minister of Police. In 2015, the DOMC released its final report, which recommended that possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis should not be a criminal offence.

This recommendation was realised in November 2017, when the Belizean government amended the Misuse of Drugs Act to decriminalise the possession and consumption of 10 grams or less of cannabis on private premises. This amendment was signed into law by the Governor-General, despite opposition from religious groups. While this change does not legalise cannabis, it represents a significant shift in the government's approach to recreational drugs.

It is important to note that the 2017 amendment does not legalise the cultivation, sale, or transportation of cannabis. These activities remain illegal, creating a situation where it is legal to consume cannabis but challenging to obtain it legally. This ambiguity has led to ongoing debates and efforts to further clarify and reform cannabis legislation in Belize.

While the Belizean government has traditionally espoused a zero-tolerance approach, the recent decriminalisation of small amounts of cannabis for personal use indicates a potential shift in policy and a recognition of the need for reform. The government's actions also reflect a growing global trend towards re-evaluating and relaxing restrictions on recreational drug use.

The status of cannabis in Belize is complicated—it is partially decriminalised, but there is no legal adult-use market

The status of cannabis in Belize is complicated. While the possession and consumption of small amounts of cannabis have been decriminalised, there is no legal adult-use market.

In 2017, Belize amended its Misuse of Drugs Act to decriminalise the possession and consumption of up to 10 grams of cannabis on private property. This amendment was signed into law by the Governor-General and marked a significant shift in the country's approach to cannabis. Previously, the Belizean government had maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards all recreational illicit substances.

However, the 2017 amendment did not legalise the buying, selling, or transportation of cannabis. This means that while individuals can possess and consume small amounts of cannabis without facing criminal charges, the supply side remains illegal. The amendment also specified that smoking cannabis on school premises remains a criminal offence.

The partial decriminalisation of cannabis in Belize is part of a broader trend in Central America towards relaxing cannabis laws. Belize was the first country in the region to decriminalise cannabis, and other countries, such as Costa Rica and Panama, have since followed suit.

While cannabis use in Belize is common and largely tolerated, the lack of a legal supply chain means that those who possess and consume cannabis must still rely on illicit sources. This has created a situation where the demand for cannabis is met by illegal growers, sellers, and distributors, rather than by a regulated market.

The Belizean government has considered fully legalising cannabis for adult use. In 2022, the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill, which outlined a framework for legalisation, passed through both houses of the National Assembly. However, due to opposition from religious groups and other sectors, the bill did not become law, and the future of cannabis legalisation in Belize remains uncertain.

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