Belize Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession
The country of Belize has officially decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.
Belize Governor General Colville Young signed into law today a bill decriminalizing the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana. The bill “provides for the imposition of monetary and non-recordable penalties for the possession of cannabis in such amounts occurring on school premises, in specified circumstances, and decriminalizes the smoking of cannabis on private premises.”
“I think this act will also allow for law enforcement personnel and the ministry to focus and concentrate more on the serious crimes that are affecting and plaguing our societies and our communities across this country and like the leader of the opposition said he would have wanted to see the whole legalization of marijuana, but I believe that it is prudent that we as a responsible government take this one step at a time as we progress to ensure that we always make the right decision that will be a betterment for our nation”, said Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Belize’s Minister of Home Affairs, following the bill’s approval in the House of Representatives.
Belize, a country in Central America, has a population of roughly 366,000.