But Minister Kareem Musa is already one step ahead. He explained that his goal is definitely to include those already existing dealers who risk their life in the marijuana trade.
He also told us that this is a continuation of the 2017's decriminalization of 10 grams of marijuana. He pointed out the absurdity with decriminalizing the possession but putting dealers and sellers behind bars.
This bill hopes to remedy it and while it was just introduced today, the minister has high hopes for it as a way to curb crime.
Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries
"What we have is a situation where it's still an illegal trade. The importation of cannabis is primarily from Mexico. It is illegal and the people involved in the trade are actually endangering their lives. We know that it is the source of so much warfare within the streets of Belize City. I would go as far as to say it is the number one reason our young people are killing one another and so the legislation that we are moving forward with has in there a component of a social equity license and what does that entail; it entails that yes government expects to get revenue, tax dollars from this industry, but at the same time we need to incorporate the small man into this industry as well. There are players who are existing. We will be allowing in this legislation home growing as well, so you as an individual at home can grow 2 plants. But also, in term of commercialization and the industrial aspect of it, there will be various licenses included in this particular bill. There is cultivation license, there is manufacturing and processing license, there is also a consumption lounge licenses. So various different licenses that fall under this legislation."
"We have established a commission. It is the industrial hemp and cannabis control commission. So this commission if you could recall under the last administration they did it pretty much in the darkness of night and issued 36 different licenses only 2 of which are actually up and running. And so what we have done is combine the two, so there is an industrial hemp committee and now we are adding a cannabis control committee as well. So it's now one committee that will decide on industrial hemp licenses and a cannabis licenses, so as to ensure proper zoning and proper regulation of the industry. Who sits on this commission now representatives from various ministries as well as the cannabis consultant Mr. Lavine and we will be appointing a social equity license coordinator. So there will actually be representation from the community. from the small man community that will be sitting on this board to ensure that the small man is looked after."
But what about those with a possession charge on their record? Well, the minister says there is already the means to get it expunged and encourages those sitting in a cell at Kolby to take advantage.
Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries
"The provision has been there since 2017, so you can if you have any convictions for possession you can apply to have it expunge."
Reporter
"What about those in Kolbe right now for drug possession?"
Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries
"Yes, that's what I am saying, there should be applications and those individuals in my opinion if you are only there for a cannabis possession conviction you must be free. That is my personal opinion and so I do know there has been since the decriminalizing on this particular cannabis since then I don't hear of anybody being sent to jail for it. But if there is anybody there, certainly they can make an application to be sent home."
