2 weeks ago
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The group, Legalize It Caye Caulker, has secured a major victory in its push for legislation to create a responsible, regulated, and taxable legal cannabis industry. The group’s petition aimed at triggering a referendum on marijuana legalization has been certified as successful by the Elections and Boundaries Department. The petition garnered 365 approved signatures, surpassing the required threshold of 25% of registered electors. In a letter to Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam, on July 31, the department stated that out of the 1,360 registered electors in Caye Caulker Village, 25% or 340 signatures were needed to validate the petition. A total of 380 signatures were submitted, and after a thorough review, 365 were approved, accounting for 26.84% of the total registered electors. Councilor Ilya Rosado has been spearheading the movement to have cannabis legalized and taxable on the island. It was his hope that a referendum would have been approved in time for the June Village Council elections, but that was not the case. Back in May, he spoke with Love News on the rationale behind the initiative.
Ilya Rosado, Village Councillor: “This proposal concerns the legalization and regulation of cannabis on the island. Over four years ago hemp was legalized in Belize giving Belizeans the opportunity to grow and sell hemp derived products in the country. Less than two years ago a proposal was introduced to legalize cannabis or medicinal and recreational purposes. Today Caye Caulker is taking a step forward. According to the law to present a proposed bill on a ballot or elections the village needs to collect at least 25% of signatures from registered voters on the island. On Wednesday May 14th we started that campaign to collect these signatures. This is a historic moment not just for Caye Caulker but for the country of Belize. Regulation means strict age limits and controlled access. Right now minors have access to cannabis because it’s unregulated. Legalization allows us to educate, prevent abuse, and enforce rules just like with alcohol and tobacco. In the end you the people of Caye Caulker have a voice and you will get to decide if this island is ready or the start of a new industry.”
Love News understands that twenty signatures were deemed unacceptable. According to the Elections and Boundaries Department, five signatures were from persons who were not registered electors; one did not appear on the approved voters’ list; seven were submitted without signatures; six signatures did not match the Elections and Boundaries record of registered electors, and one was not a registered voter attached to Caye Caulker’s registry. The Caye Caulker Village Council is seeking the approval for a referendum, which will prompt voters on whether there should be legislation to create a responsible, regulated, and taxable legal cannabis industry on the island. Our newsroom reached out the village council for comment earlier today, but they were yet to be apprised of the Elections and Boundaries report.
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