BELMOPAN, Belize – The Belize Council of Churches (BCC) says consultation is needed even as it supports the call by the National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) in its call for a” people’s” referendum on the legalization of marijuana in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
In addition, BCC president Bishop Phillip Wright chairman is also seeking a meeting with the Minister of Religious Affairs, Henry Charles Usher, on the issue.
“We have called for a meeting with the Minister of Religious because from our vantage point, that is why such a portfolio was cleared in the first place so that Cabinet through him could have the dialogue with the church or churches before certain decisions are made. So, yes, we are still hoping. No dates have been set yet. But, we are still hoping to have an audience with the Minister of Religious Affairs,” he said.
Last weekend, Pastor Louis Wade of the Belmopan Church of the Nazarene said several religious bodies had written to Prime Minister Briceno urging that a “people’s referendum” be held ahead of the amendment’s passage to existing legislation for the decriminalization of marijuana.
Possession or use of 10 grams or less on private premises was decriminalized in November 2017. Cabinet has already approved revised legislation that will provide for the control and licensing of the cannabis industry and establish the necessary legislative framework to govern and regulate the cultivation, processing, distribution, and delivery of cannabis products for adult use only.
Under the Referendum Act, chapter 10 of the Laws of Belize, a referendum may be triggered when a petition receives the signatures of ten percent of the voting population or 18 669 votes in that case as it stands now.
Bishop Wright said while the BCC has received a draft of the petition being circulated in support of the referendum, the Council believes that more excellent public education on the bill should be advanced, even before a referendum is held.
“We feel a referendum, ideally for us, should follow a period of education and, if possible, a period of an open forum where people could discuss the matter and so on. It is not so much to rush to a referendum immediately, especially if it will be a national referendum”.
Bishop Wright told television viewers that the Council was not satisfied with the level of consultation that the government had said had taken place before presenting the legislation to Parliament.
“Yes, I would have to say yes. The objections of the Council of Churches in particular, and bear in mind, we are in much solidarity with our other Christian organizations. Still, we feel that for a bill and a decision that will impact our people’s lives, how many of our people know what this thing is all about. And, we became convinced that is not the case.
“Therefore, an opportunity ought to be provided for our people to learn more about the pros and cons and then make a better decision hopefully in the form of a referendum if it comes to that,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, Luke Martinez, says. At the same time, the unions have, in principle, supported the idea of a referendum. The movement is also seeking more consultation on the matter.
“When this bill was introduced in November, the National Trade Union Congress made its position (known). We were steadfast on consultations, right, correct or wrong,” he said, adding, “when you speak to other interest groups or other social partners, they will tell you the same thing that we are requesting and adamant about reasonable consultations that need to happen in this country, especially when we are developing policies that will affect the future of this country.”
He denied the government stated that the consultations had been held with the trade unions, adding, “The National Trade Union Congress has not been consulted.”
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