Belize's Smoky Season: Navigating The Country's Annual Agricultural Burn

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It is known for its dense jungle, incredible Mayan ruins, and stunning beaches.

When it comes to smokiness, Belize has a high level of cannabis consumption, ranking 18th in the world, even higher than Jamaica. While the use of cannabis in Belize is common and largely tolerated, possession can result in fines or imprisonment. In 2017, an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act decriminalized the possession or use of up to 10 grams of cannabis on private premises. However, it is still illegal to grow, buy, or transport cannabis in Belize, and smoking is restricted to private residences.

So, while you might encounter some smokiness in Belize due to cannabis use, it is important to be aware of the legal restrictions and limits to avoid any fines or legal troubles.

Cannabis consumption in Belize

In November 2017, Belize amended its Misuse of Drugs Act to allow legal marijuana use on private property. This amendment was a landmark decision that placed Belize at the forefront of Central American countries advocating for legalised cannabis consumption.

The 2017 amendment permits individuals to possess or use up to ten grams of marijuana on private premises without facing criminal charges. However, it's important to note that the law doesn't specify whether the ten grams can be carried on one's person, in their home, or both. Additionally, the amendment maintains the illegality of growing, buying, or transporting marijuana, creating a grey area in the legislation.

Despite the decriminalisation, the purchase and consumption of marijuana in Belize can be challenging. The amendment's vagueness and lack of clarity have led to confusion about the legality of possession and use. While it is technically decriminalised, the purchase and transportation of marijuana remain illegal, creating a Catch-22 situation.

In 2022, the Belizean government introduced the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill, which outlined a framework for the full legalisation of marijuana, including guidelines for cultivation and sale. However, due to opposition from various sectors, including the church, banking, and tourism industries, the bill was halted before it could go to a referendum.

Belize has a history of cannabis production and consumption. Until the 1980s, it was the fourth-largest exporter of cannabis to the United States. However, eradication efforts by the Belizean government, supported by the US, led to a significant drop in production by the mid-1980s. Despite this, the use of cannabis in Belize remains common and largely tolerated, with an estimated 8.5% of Belizeans using cannabis, according to a 2016 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

While the full legalisation of marijuana in Belize is currently on hold, the country remains a pioneer in the region for its progressive stance on cannabis decriminalisation.

Cannabis decriminalisation in Belize

Belize has historically taken a hardline stance on the cultivation, sale, possession, and consumption of all recreational drugs, including cannabis. However, in recent years, the country has made significant strides towards decriminalising the substance.

In 2012, the Belizean government announced it was considering decriminalising the possession of small amounts of cannabis. Subsequently, in 2017, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, decriminalising the possession or use of 10 grams or less of cannabis on private premises. The bill was signed into law by the Governor General, Sir Colville Young, despite opposition from religious groups. This amendment placed Belize at the forefront of Central American countries moving towards legalised cannabis consumption.

It is important to note that while this amendment decriminalised cannabis possession and use in limited circumstances, it did not legalise other activities such as cultivation, sale, or public consumption. These activities remain illegal, creating a situation where private use is tolerated but obtaining cannabis through legal means is challenging. The lack of a regulated market for production and sale has resulted in a reliance on the black market, raising concerns about the safety and quality of cannabis products.

In 2022, the Belizean government made further progress towards full legalisation by passing the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill through both houses of the National Assembly. This bill outlined a framework for the legal cultivation and sale of cannabis. However, due to opposition from religious groups and other sectors, the bill was halted and a referendum on the issue was proposed. The referendum, estimated to cost $5 million, was initially scheduled for September 2022 but has since been postponed, with no new date announced.

While the full legalisation of cannabis in Belize is currently on hold, the country remains a leader in the region regarding progressive cannabis policies. The decriminalisation of possession and use on private premises represents a significant shift in the country's drug policy and reflects a global trend of re-evaluating cannabis laws.

Cannabis tourism in Belize

Cannabis in Belize

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language.

In November 2017, Belize amended its Misuse of Drugs Act to allow legal marijuana use on private property. This amendment placed Belize in the forefront of Central American countries allowing legalized cannabis consumption. The law states that individuals will not face criminal charges for possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis on private premises. However, everything else related to cannabis, including growing, buying, or transporting it, remains illegal.

The use of cannabis in Belize is common and largely tolerated, but possession can result in fines or imprisonment. 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.

In 2016, a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimated that approximately 8.5% of all Belizeans use cannabis. This placed Belize 18th out of all countries in the prevalence of cannabis use, higher than both the Netherlands and Jamaica.

Weed Tourism in Belize

Belize has become one of the world's top weed-smoking countries, outranking Jamaica by four spots. Despite this, it is still not legal for tourists to smoke weed in Belize. Any weed bought locally or brought into the country would be illegal. Smoking cannabis is only tolerated in private residences, but some hotels allow smoking on their premises, making the consumption somewhat legal.

Belize is still in the early stages of tolerant cannabis decriminalization. With only three years under their belt, they are still evolving and changing. Hopefully, in the future, cannabis will become completely legal so that Belize can take advantage of the booming cannabis tourism industry. If they were to fully make recreational weed legal, Belize would be the first country in the Caribbean and Central American region to do so.

Cannabis history in Belize

Belize has a long history with cannabis, and its approach to regulation has been shifting in recent years, reflecting global trends. Here is a detailed overview of the cannabis history in Belize:

The 1980s to Mid-1990s: Major Cannabis Exporter

In the 1980s, Belize was a significant cannabis exporter to the United States, ranking as the fourth-largest supplier. However, this changed when the Belizean government, with support from the US, started intensive eradication efforts. By the mid-1990s, production had dropped to negligible levels.

2006: High Cannabis Consumption Rate

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Belize had the third-highest cannabis consumption rate in the Americas, with 8.45% of its population using cannabis, following Jamaica and the US.

2012: Decriminalization Discussions Begin

In 2012, the Government of Belize announced its consideration of decriminalizing small amounts of cannabis for personal use. This sparked the formation of the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DOMC), chaired by Douglas Singh, the former Minister of Police. The committee represented a diverse group of Belizean citizens and was tasked with researching and making recommendations to inform policymakers.

2015: DOMC Report and Recommendations

The DOMC released its final report in 2015, recommending that possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana should not be a criminal offense. This report played a pivotal role in shaping future policy decisions.

November 2017: Decriminalization of Small Amounts

In November 2017, Belize amended its Misuse of Drugs Act, decriminalizing the possession and use of up to 10 grams of cannabis on private premises. This landmark decision was influenced by various factors, including international drug policy trends, local consumption patterns, and a desire to reduce the burden on the criminal justice system. The amendment was signed into law by the Governor General, Sir Colville Young, despite opposition from churches and other groups.

2017-2022: Continued Legalization Efforts

Following the 2017 amendment, Belize continued to explore further legalization. In 2022, the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill passed through the National Assembly, outlining a framework for full legalization and industry guidelines. However, the Council of Churches and other opponents gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the issue, which has not yet been held.

Present Day: Ongoing Conversations

Belize remains at the forefront of Central American countries in terms of progressive cannabis policies. While the full legalization of marijuana is on hold due to opposition, the country continues to engage in conversations about the potential societal and economic impacts of legalization. The upcoming referendum will be a pivotal moment in shaping the future of cannabis legislation in Belize.

Cannabis legality in Belize

Current Status

The status of cannabis in Belize is complicated. While possession of small amounts (10 grams or less) and consumption on private property have been decriminalized since 2017, there is no formal medical program or legal adult-use market. Buying, selling, and growing cannabis are all illegal.

History of Cannabis in Belize

Belize has historically been a significant producer and exporter of cannabis. Up until the 1980s, it was the fourth-largest exporter of cannabis to the United States. However, due to eradication efforts by the Belizean government, supported by the United States, production has dropped significantly and is now at negligible levels.

In 2012, the Government of Belize first announced that it was considering decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis. In 2017, Belize amended its Misuse of Drugs Act to decriminalize the possession and use of small amounts of cannabis (up to 10 grams) on private property. This amendment was signed into law by the then-Governor General, Sir Colville Young, and placed Belize at the forefront of Central American countries allowing legalized cannabis consumption.

Push for Legalization

In 2022, the Belizean government introduced the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill, which outlined a framework for the full legalization of marijuana, including industry guidelines for cultivation and sale. However, due to opposition from religious groups and other sectors, the bill was forced to go through a referendum, which was eventually cancelled due to the high cost. As a result, the bill is currently back with the legislature, and the future of marijuana legalization in Belize remains uncertain.

Cannabis Culture in Belize

Despite the legal ambiguities, the use of cannabis in Belize is common and largely tolerated. According to a 2016 United Nations report, Belize has one of the highest cannabis consumption rates in the world, with an estimated 8.5% of the population using cannabis. However, buying and selling cannabis can be challenging, even for visitors, and possession of large amounts or public smoking can result in fines or imprisonment.

Frequently asked questions