P.M. Briceño on the Legalization of Marijuana In The Face Of Cannabis Gummies Crisis

Prime Minister John Briceño

On Wednesday, the National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) rattled off a social media statement noting that the church in Belize has taken a firm stance over the past few years against the legalization of marijuana. The association went on to say that, “It will open doors to illegal connections, it will seriously endanger Belize’s international banking relations and it will affect children”.  Today Prime Minister Briceño was asked if his administration is reconsidering its stance on the legalization of recreational marijuana, given this week’s incident. Here is how he responded.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think that is one of the things that we have to take a closer look and to see how that can be addressed, how we can ensure that that does not happen. But who knows, maybe if it was already out there with the proper regulations in place, quite likely that would not have happened. But because it is in limbo, you know, it’s like purgatory, another hell, another heaven, you know. People are still bringing these edibles and selling it because, well, it’s legal to have up to ten grams. So, maybe an argument could be done for saying that we have to ensure that we go through all the way with the process to ensure that there can be strict regulations. How it’s going to be managed, how it’s going to be handled, who can sell, who can buy, who can use, all of these questions have to be regulated. But because it has been stopped in its track right now because of the commitment we made to the religious community. I know that they were going to say, see, I told you so, but it could be from the reverse. I mean, you can’t turn back things, you know, and that’s just changes that we’re facing at this time in our society and all over the world.”