Look Who it Was Random video

Ministry of Health’s Position on Proposed Hemp and Cannabis Cultivation

637 views · Published 31 October 2018 · 2:47 · Indexed 8 October 2026

Channel: Greater Belize Media | GBM · 2018 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

For the latest news across Belize, visit:
http://edition.channel5belize.com/

The idea that it may be time to legalize marijuana has taken centre stage in the national discourse.  It was proposed by the Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño, and immediately became a lightening rod.  G.O.B. jumped up with a release blasting Briceño, saying such proposal would have serious implications to the relations with the United States.  On Monday, the PM called the idea fantastical and a looney tune.  Well, by today, documents surfaced showing that a senior member of his cabinet has already officially expressed support for the legalization of weed.  This letter, dated February tenth, documents that on February fifth, 2016; the Minister of Health Pablo Marin had discussions on the matter with businessman Zev Ben Yosef. He confirms that along with his former C.E.O. Peter Allen, they had discussed with Yosef’s team, the proposed establishment of a cannabis farm for growing, extracting and developing cannabis for medical application. Marin adds that the objective would be to develop and export products demonstrating the well-documented medical proprieties of cannabis.  The letter also mentions the strategic location of Belize in the region and its ability to access CARCIOM and SICA markets. It also was not lost on the minister that Belize is “two hours from major gateway ports of the United States.”  Marin seemed to have been well ahead of the Prime Minister because a year ago on October 2017, he signed off on another letter to Marco Caruso of the Placencia Hotel and Residence expressing support for the development of commercial production of hemp in the Stann Creek District.  He names four conditions: that the product be exported to a company with relevant state licenses; that the processing plant and the culture of the hemp plant be in accordance with the laws of Belize; that the land must be fenced and that Caruso must comply with the relevant the laws of Belize. So there you go. It is not confirmed whether Marin had the full blessings of Cabinet or acted alone. In any case, the senior minister has been consistent on his support for the production of hemp and cannabis. For context, here is what the Prime Minister said on Monday:
Prime Minister Dean Barrow [File: October 29th, 2018]

More from this channel