Marijuana is the Topic of SSB’s 2016 Debate Competition

Hannah Lee

Today the Social Security Board held the finals of its 2016 Debate Competition where six students from two tertiary level institutions faced off – Corozal Junior College and Ecumenical Junior College from Stann Creek. The topic was (the criminal legislation of marijuana has been a major discussion in many countries. Do you believe that marijuana should be legalized in Belize). C.J.C. argued against the legalization of marijuana, while Ecumenical argued for legalization.

Hannah Lee ,Debator, Corozal Junior College

“Today we take the stand point that marijuana should not be legalized in Belize, we will do so by looking at other countries who undertook this act and are now living in the shadows of regret and despair. Whatever so called benefits that may be thrown out today can never counter balance the damage that can be caused to individuals and our society. Our societies are functioning and successful because we have been able to manage systems and procedures that govern our behavior. Without rules humans are essentially relegated to be. If marijuana was to be legalized we will be opening up pandoras box, sending through social evils that could wreck our societies as we know them. Are we willing to take that risk and sink our people and communities into an underworld of drugs ruled by marijuana? Do we not have sufficient space in our Belizean people innovation and resilience that we feel the need to resort to selling drugs? Don’t be fooled Legalizing marijuana legalization will not mean that there will be a limitation to the use of marijuana, instead it will increase the availability. Think of all the dangerous substances that are available and harmful to our health, we cannot and should not add to the list of drugs already available to our kids, it is our moral obligation.”

Kenroy Elijio, Debator, Ecumenical Junior College

Kenroy Elijio

“Marijuana is not lethal, in order for it to be lethal and individual has to smoke 1500 pounds of weed in 15 minutes for it to be lethal. It also proves that eating ten raw potatoes is in fact more lethal. The laws if it is put in place, that it is legal it will be structured in such a way that the teens won’t be at a risk of utilizing marijuana it will be neglect of the parent if they allow their teens to use marijuana. So to my worthy opponents, marijuana should be legalized, thank you.”