Jul 7, 2021
Kareem Musa
Following its presentation in the House of Representatives last week Friday, the conversation on the legalisation of marijuana as an economic opportunity has been getting pushback from various sectors, including the churches. Today, the media caught up with Minister of New Growth Industries Kareem Musa, who introduced the bill in the House. He says that the reaction was expected, but he believes the benefits of allowing cultivation, production and sale of ganja outweighs the cons.
Kareem Musa, Minister of New Growth Industries
“I totally respect the view of the churches. I am certainly not surprised by the position that they have taken and have been vocal about, in particular Pastor Wade; it is no secret how he feels about it. But at the same time, I come from a generation that can see the advantage of the economic upturn from something like this. Like I keep saying, we already have legislation in place since 2017 that made ten grams legal
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The great debate on hemp production and the resulting legalization of marijuana has seen politicians, religious leaders, as well as the head of law enforcement, weighing in on the pros and cons of this new growth industry. From a scientific and commercial perspective, cannabis has much to offer. While detractors criticize its recreational use, proponents, including CEO Alex Lavin, realize the benefits of producing and consuming cannabis on a large scale.
Alex Lavin, C.E.O., Growth Industries
“I believe in the power of this plant, I believe in the economic capabilities of this plant and I really, what I would want nothing more is access in everywhere because if certain countries slow down it also has a trickle effect in the rest of the
Dec 31, 2020
Musa Under Fire From NEAB on Marijuana Comment
The National Evangelical Association of Belize, NEAB, has responded to comments made by Minister of New Growth Industries Kareem Musa, in respect of the cannabis industry and the churches’ staunch opposition to such a venture. In speaking with the media earlier this week, Musa admitted that marijuana is consumed everyday in the country. While there are no economic gains from the illegal sale of the narcotic, legitimizing the trade of marijuana can potentially boost the beleaguered local economy. In its release, NEAB says it finds it, “shockingly offensive that in a national pandemic crisis, he would choose to put that issue forward in the first hundred days.” It also goes on to say, “Belize already has a serious substance abuse issue, and to suggest that legalizing and profiting off a marijuana industry will eliminate gang turf battles and murders is severely misguided.” For context, here is what