Yo, what’s up? You’re either moving or traveling to Belize, right? If you’re a stoner who can blaze up in your own hood, you might be wondering if you can do the same in Belize. Well, homie, we got you covered. Keep reading to find out if weed is legal in Belize.
Belize is a small country located in Central America, and when it comes to weed, it’s got two faces: mostly illegal but sometimes tolerant. Sounds crazy, right? But that’s how it is.
Let’s talk about the legal status of weed in Belize. As of now, medical marijuana is illegal, but personal use is partially legal or largely tolerated. So if you’re caught with some weed on you, you might not get into too much trouble if it’s just for personal use.
But let’s go back in time and talk about the history of weed in Belize. Cannabis cultivation started in Corozal and Orange Walk during the 1960s and was booming until the 1980s. At that time, Belize became the fourth largest exporter of weed to the USA. Farmers switched from sugar cane to weed production because it was more lucrative.
However, in 1994, the government began regulating drug production and use due to pressure from the USA. Production went down, but people still used weed. After the global recession in 2008, there were calls to decriminalize possession and cultivation of cannabis as a way to revive the economy.
In 2012, the government announced that it was considering decriminalizing weed soon. And in 2017, they passed the Misuse of Drugs act that allows possession of up to ten grams of marijuana for personal use. But you can’t grow or sell it, and there’s no medical marijuana program.
If you get caught selling opium, heroin, cocaine, or marijuana in Belize, you could face two years in prison and a fine of $37,000. Possession of any amount of weed could land you three years in prison with a $25,000 fine. So be careful.
But let’s be real, you’re probably wondering about the law enforcement situation in Belize. The police don’t usually hassle locals for a small amount of weed, but as a tourist, you should avoid buying or smoking weed in public. You don’t want to get harassed by the police or worse.
Now, let’s talk about cannabis culture in Belize. Marijuana use is pretty common there, and it’s easy to find some even if you’re just visiting. In fact, a 2016 UN report ranked Belize #18 among the top 30 weed-smoking nations, with an estimated 8.5% of the population consuming marijuana.
Young people in Belize are increasingly demanding the legalization of cannabis use, and some indigenous cultures use it for religious and spiritual purposes. They believe that marijuana should be decriminalized because it’s a natural healer.
If you’re over 18 and have between 10-60 grams of weed on you, the police probably won’t bother you too much. But remember that cultivation is still illegal, and getting caught could get you into serious trouble.
So where can you get some weed in Belize? The capital city Belize City, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and various streets and beaches are good places to start looking. You can also trust your cab driver or make some local friends who might be able to help you out.
As for the cost of weed in Belize, it’s pretty affordable at $10-$15 for a few grams. And while there’s no guarantee that cannabis will be legalized soon in Belize, there are clear signs that people want it to happen.
In conclusion, while weed isn’t fully legal in Belize, it’s partially tolerated for personal use. But remember to follow the laws, avoid smoking in public, and stay safe from law enforcement. And who knows, maybe one day weed will be fully legalized in Belize. Until then, you can enjoy smoking on your private property. Keep it lit, homie.
