As we told you earlier, the independent media has selected Plus TV's Louis Wade to represent them on the People's Constitution Commission. But, Wade is also a major advocate for the Churches on the issue of possible marijuana legalization in Belize.
Today he commented on the pending Writ of Referendum. As we've reported, the Churches have triggered a referendum on legalization, and the next step of that formal process is a Writ of Referendum, which is to be issued by the Governor-General.
She has 30 days to issue that writ, but almost two weeks have already passed since the Chief Elections Officer certified that the 10% threshold was met by the Churches. So, what's the delay? The press asked Wade about that this afternoon, and here's his answer:
Louis Wade Jr. - Spokesperson, Churches
"There is no delay. The church's strategy is working, and I believe it will continue to work until the government is ready to listen to the players around the table. If you take a look at past press releases, you will see that other organizations have warned the government about the dangers of progressing with marijuana legislation at this time, and the bankers have not made any public statement. But there are internal documents, some of which I have, that have clearly stated to the government the dangers of legalizing marijuana and having a cash-based industry at this particular point in time. So, I am glad that the government is beginning to listen, is slowing down. And I look forward to the final press release, which should come out shortly from the churches and the government."
Alindy Marisol Amaya - News Director, KREM News
"So, then that means that there have, in fact, been meetings. The Prime Minister alluded to wanting to meet the churches to say, okay, maybe we need to rethink and delay a referendum on this."
Louis Wade Jr.
"Well, when I leave here, I head into another meeting. And so I believe that some of the developments will be made, most likely Tuesday after the Cabinet Meeting. But this is something, as I said in our last interview, that the church has skin in the game. We have documents that show not just the financial aspect but some of the medical aspects and other things."
