Musa Under Fire From NEAB on Marijuana Comment

The National Evangelical Association of Belize, NEAB, has responded to comments made by Minister of New Growth Industries Kareem Musa, in respect of the cannabis industry and the churches’ staunch opposition to such a venture.  In speaking with the media earlier this week, Musa admitted that marijuana is consumed everyday in the country.  While there are no economic gains from the illegal sale of the narcotic, legitimizing the trade of marijuana can potentially boost the beleaguered local economy.  In its release, NEAB says it finds it, “shockingly offensive that in a national pandemic crisis, he would choose to put that issue forward in the first hundred days.”  It also goes on to say, “Belize already has a serious substance abuse issue, and to suggest that legalizing and profiting off a marijuana industry will eliminate gang turf battles and murders is severely misguided.” For context, here is what Musa, who is also the Minister of Home Affairs, said.

Reporter

“Are you afraid of the blowback from those churches, the NEAB, let’s say which took a very hard line last time?”

Kareem Musa, Minister of New Growth Industries

Kareem Musa

“Well, let me say this again, whether we like it or not, marijuana, cannabis is consumed in Belize on a daily basis.  It is already recreationally legal, already, and so all that we are doing is saying that we need to make it benefit our country in terms of our economy.  There is no greater time than now because of the challenges that we face with COVID, because of the dire state that our economy is in.  We do need whatever help we can get and if we can get help and economic relief from the cannabis industry, as well the tourism industry, as well as the agriculture industry, it can all play a part in bouncing back our economy.”