When we caught up with Minister Musa today we also asked him for an update on the proposed cannabis referendum. As we have said, the cannabis legislation was shelved back in 2022, due to the expenses attached to a referendum. Minister Musa was hopeful that the referendum could be held in the first quarter of 2023. But, time is ticking and there are no reports of any such exercise taking place anytime soon. And, today Minister Musa told us that he is afraid that such a time may have passed. Here is how he puts it.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

"I saw Costa Rica this week passing adult use legislation. I saw the British Virgin Islands passing that legislation. We are getting left behind certainly and the more countries around us go in that direction, I personally think once Mexico goes fully legal then Belize would be in a huge problem at that point. WE are already importing illegally from Mexico. But, at that point once they are legal you can expect a larger amount of illegal cannabis not knowing what it is we are importing, coming into the country. It is unfortunate but I can see where that window is closing. It would still be a good move in my opinion for us to have the referendum this year. But that is a decision that Cabinet would have to make. It is a very costly venture. But, that is something we are committed to taking to a referendum before legalizing."

Channel 5