Belize could decriminalize pot possession

Belize’s government is considering reforms that would ease the Central American country’s cannabis possession laws, claiming its current legislation clutters courts and prisons with marginalized people.

That would be the latest push in a regional rethink on anti-drug laws. From Mexico to Argentina, leaders are debating perceived failures in the US-backed war on drugs and seeking alternative approaches.

Carrying marijuana is a criminal offense in Belize. Anyone caught with less than 60 grams of marijuana faces a fine of up to $26,000 and/or up to three years in jail, according to a government press release. The proposed reform would decriminalize possession of up to 10 grams, but still subject those caught with small amounts to a fine and mandatory drug education, the government said in a press release. Belize stressed that this is not an effort to legalize cannabis. (See the full release below.)

The news comes after President Barack Obama added Belize last year to Washington’s list of top drug transit nations.

Read more: Mexico’s drug war comes to Belize

Advocates for looser drug laws applauded Belize's step toward reform.

“It is encouraging to see Belize’s government join the growing number of countries calling for alternatives to the criminalization of people who use drugs,” Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance, said in a statement. “In a country beleaguered by drug-related crime, decriminalizing marijuana users will free up law enforcement and court resources to tackle the gang violence instead of focusing on imprisoning low-level drug offenders.”

He noted that, despite local efforts in some states, “The United States clearly lags far behind Latin America in ending the criminalization of drug possession.”

Read more: Q&A with drug policy expert Ethan Nadelmann

Below, I'm including the Belize government's press release in its entirety. Notice its careful language about its plans for "Weed":

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Decriminalization of Marijuana — Press Release

Belmopan, 16th July, 2012. A committee has been appointed by the Minister of National Security to evaluate and, if appropriate, make proposals for the decriminalization of the possession of small portions of Cannabis Sativa (commonly known as Marijuana and Weed).

For the purpose of this exercise, the word decriminalization means that the treatment of the infraction will be adjusted so that most of the detriments are removed or reduced. The offence will then be subject to regulation which will allow for the implementation of probationary measures. It is also proposed that no criminal record be kept in the first instance and portions of the penalty be reserved for drug education.

The current legislation treats the possession of under 60 grams of marijuana as a criminal offence and is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to three years imprisonment. This proposal is to decriminalize the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana which will then be subject to fines, mandatory drug education and no imprisonment.

This initiative is driven by increasing evidence that the current legislation clutters the courts and the prison with primarily a marginalized segment of our population. The added impact of a permanent criminal record further disadvantages this already marginalized group as it establishes a barrier against meaningful employment. The committee wishes to emphasize that the proposal is not to legalize the offence thereby purging it of all its penalties; it is merely to reduce and regulate. This is further supported by international trends towards decriminalization.

The Committee recognizes that the instant proposal for the decriminalization of small quantities of Marijuana is a sensitive issue. All interested groups and individuals are hereby given an opportunity to express their views on the matter. The committee invites you to offer a position in writing by letter or email. Please direct such correspondence to:

Douglas Singh – Committee Chair email address:
decriminalizebelize@gmail.com
# 1 Mapp Street Belize City, Belize
We would be grateful to receive your comments by Friday July 20. If you wish to make representation to the committee please indicate in your written response and we will be pleased to accommodate your request.