The Barrow administration has appointed a committee to look into proposals for the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize. That committee, announced late this evening via a Government press release, is headed by Doug Singh, former Police Minister, who told Amandala this evening that they want to create a distinction between the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana by creating a special category of infractions for the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana—that is equivalent, said Singh, to about 10 sticks of weed (Ramos, 2012)
Reference
Ramos,A. (2012,July 19)Belize moves to decriminalized marijuana. The Amandala.
Retrieved from http://amandala.com.bz/news/belize-moves-decriminalize-marijuana/
The Government of Belize should/should not past laws to decriminalized marijuana? What's your opinion? Based your informed opinion on research.
[respond to the question above and then respond to two of your classmates' comments]
The government of Belize should legalize marijuana and should not pass any laws to decriminalize it, Marijuana is one of the most common drug used worldwide not only in Belize, and as years goes by it has become even more popular and used by many from the elders to the teenagers. Therefore making a law would not change people from using marijuana as they are pleased, so the best thing to do is for the government to legalize marijuana. The people who are against legalization may say that marijuana is just a next drug that should be banned; I think they should do more research! Marijuana helps a lot of people when it comes to medical needs such as: Marijuana has been used to enhance the appetite of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Studies have shown that marijuana is beneficial in relieving a person from the uneasy feeling of nausea. Doctors have made use of marijuana, successfully, in the treatment of neurogenic pain. The people suffering from glaucoma, asthma and spasticity have been found to have benefited from the consumption of marijuana. Marijuana can also help relieve the chronic pain and suffering of people with incurable diseases like cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, etc. Marijuana is regarded to be a 'mind opener' i.e. it can help people broaden their outlook and think creatively. What would people do without marijuana (medication)? It is used as medication whereby people NEED it! The government should not only look at the cons but also the pros and let the country have the use of this herb just as people use other medications legally such as Tylenol, Advil etc, If that is the case then all those medication should be banned.
I most strongly agree with Melony Dawson that the Government of Belize should legalize marijuana. Many people say that marijuana is bad and it is illegal and people should not be using it. The question that we should all ask ourselves is "Why shouldn't marijuqana be legal?" what is so wrong with it that? Has it ever hurt anyone? If marujuana is clinically used by some doctors, why can't the people use it too because no doctor would give their patients anything that they know is not good for them or could kill them. Poeple need to start looking at the positive effects of marijuana insterad of all the negatives. The Government should not want to legalize marijuana because they think it is bad and they do not want the people to be using it. The government should not be making decisions for the people. Poeple are free to do and use whatever they want for their own reasons at their own free will as long as it does not hurt others or bring harm to others. If tobacco and alcohol could be legal then so should marijuana.
Melony,I agree that marijuana is present and used in many countries other than Belize, and I agree that the government should considering decriminalizing this drug, but only to a certain extent. If an individual is caught with more that so much grams of marijuana he/she should be penalized.
I agree with you Melony, marijuana should not become legal. our country is barely making as it is today and by legalizing it it. That will just make the state of our country worst.
I agree with you, Melony. Marijuana usage has become an epidemic in many societies and age groups. The government should not LEGALIZE this drug but should DECRIMINALIZE it by only allowing a small portion. This drug is used for medicinal purposes and thank you for enlightening me with further knowledge on the benefits of this drug.
It won't be such a bad think to DECRIMINALIZE marijuana but before doing so we need to have proper structures in place to have the circulation of the drug under control. Yes everyone is just looking at either legalizing or decriminalization of this drug but who will be the distributors of the drug? who will make sure it is under control? we can't expect to burden the police department with another responsibility especially with the crime rate at a high.
Smoked marijuana does damages the brain, heart, lungs, and the immune system. it impairs learning and interferes with memory, perception, and judgement, it also contains cancer-causing compounds.we all need to understand that this is a good medicinal drug but anything we consume by smoking will affect our health some way or the other.
I have seen the benefits of marijuana but not by smoking it, so lets start teaching the proper way to consume this drug, either by boiling it then drinking the water or cooking it in food eg.(cakes, brownies, fudge)etc. then eating it. Lets look at the normal consumption of any locally growing herb like "cirocy", "pis-a-bed", "contribo" and so forth; these herbs are usually boiled and then drink rather than being smoked. So in fact this will show that the smoke from the marijuana is what is dangerous to our health.
I strongly agree with this. These are some strong and well structured points. It is a natural herb created by God but it is being abused and used unconsiously. When abused it destroys one's being. Good job. The usage of marijuana should only occur if needed.
I strongly agree with Melony the government of Belize should decriminalize marijuana. Marijuana is one of the most commonly known drug used all around the world. However, I've read the International Business Times and it clearly states that" prescription drugs kills about 100,000 people in the world each year". I found this statistic very alarming! Do you know of any deaths caused by marijuana? The point is you cannot find one! Marijuana may be beneficial to everyone's health. Do you know that the ingredients found in marijuana plays a vital role in controlling spontaneous seizures in epilepsy? Therefore, if marijuana happens to be band off the market what would happen to people's health? I believe any medicine that is all natural is considered a big treat to medical companies.
I agree with vaness rowland 100%,having done all my research about marijuana i heard all good about it.yes it may have its cons but face it,its a medicine and should i say a NATURAL MEDICINE! like what vanessa said.its helping alot of people in Belize so to speak and also world wide,what would we do without MARIJUANA?How would many survive?when all the prescription drugs that the doctor gives are killing the people out!because of all the chemicals that are used in them!vanessa made some every strong points i really like that!
I think it is a great idea that the government of Belize is considering decriminalizing marijuana. Like Melony said it is a NATURAL MEDICINE! So, why should someone be penalize for using it? Numerous studies proved that marijuana is a medical benefit. Hence, we should take a broader look on the positive aspects of marijuana. do you know of any medication that can help you without giving long term side effects? My point is the more we continue to consume these medication, the more we are destroying our bodies. That's why we should put NATURAL MEDICINE to good use! I believe we should become more alert to the things that can help us rather than the things that will shorten our lives.
I totally agree with Vanessa and Melony. Weed is a medicine and if you want to call it a "drug" its the only drug with benefits so why should it be illegal. When there are other drugs out there that don't do you any good but yet are legal. Its a natural plant that has been helping in the medical field for years. Simple things like putting weed in your alcohol help you with joint pain. So you go to jail because you are found with weed in your alcohol? it shouldn't be like that. It not only helps with that but with other medical sicknesses as well.
I agree with you crystal,alot may not see the good effects marijuana has until one day they might be in a situation whereby they NEED this herb because of medical issues,and trust me they will be very thankful for it.There is nothing els i could say we have explained alot and we throwed out some good points.The government should take a good look at the medical field and also get suggestions from the community!
I agree with Vanessa Rowland that marijuana does not kill people but it helps then relax and open their minds to more things around them.If the government legalizes marijuana it will save them a lot of money. Because since they want to not legalize marijuana when they catch people with it they will charge them and send them to jail. But, in order to send them to jail they wioll have to go through a lot of expenses such as: food, , health care, attorney fees, court cost, etc. The government could save a lot of money if they legalize marijuana and use the money for other necessary reasons such as helping the poor and make Belize a better place and improve the standard of living for people.
The Government of Belize should not pass any laws to decriminalize Marijuana. Marijuana is a drug whose active ingredients is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which acts on cannabinoid receptors on the nerve cells and influences those cells in the parts of the human brain that influences pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Marijuana is a drug that affects the human brain, heart and lungs while in pregnant women the child is affected, so then we could satisfactorily say that Marijuana is dangerous for the human body. Not only does marijuana cause health issues, but also is one of the main factors of crime and even vehicular accidents in our country. Although legalization activist and many marijuana users believe that smoking cannabis has no negative effects, scientific research indicates that marijuana use causes many different health problems and anyone who knows someone who uses marijuana regularly will agree with this fact.
The idea if decriminalizing marijuana is surely not a good move by the Barrow administration and the different health issues caused by the use of this drug is beyond control. The first and perhaps the main health issue caused by marijuana use is the effect it has on the lungs. Research indicates that marijuana smoke contains three times the amount of tar found in tobacco smoke and fifty percent more carcinogens, hence making it more hazardous to the human respiratory system than tobacco smoke. Furthermore, several studies indicate that children born to mothers who use marijuana during pregnancy have problems with neurological development. Marijuana increased the heart beat and lowers the blood pressure in humans, which makes the risk of a heart attack four times higher than general risk of heart attack when not smoking. So then, why decriminalize Marijuana if it causes so much negative effects on the human body? With all the research and studies done on marijuana, it clearly indicates that marijuana is a drug that is very hazardous to the human health, and should not be decriminalize not even in small quantities.
I am in agreement with you Oscar,because we have facts about all the dangers of what marijuana can do to our health. whether its is short or long term it still has effects. unless our GOB want us to walk around like "zombies".when this is legalized and decriminalize by law then that is showing that it can be accessible anytime, anywhere and to anyone.Our crime and violence rate is so high. what will happen to our country Belize? what will happen to our children? we will have a chaos society. Children will be difiant especially in the schools. Parent will not be able to speak to their children in a decent manner because they brain cells will be dead. Yes it natural medicine when get penalize everyone will say "we are using for medicine" which they will use that to abuse of marijuana.Our GOB needs to consult first before passing any laws and have a vote by the people.
To start off I must say that Oscar you have some interesting points on why we should not legalize marijuana however I still disagree. I believe that marijuana should be legalized. Cigarettes and alcohol kill- that we know as fact. You can read the labels on the product itself and read the harmful qualities of the products. The Karl Husuner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) "each year more than 9,000 Belizeans die of alcohol-related causes"Cancer.org states that "Cigarette Smoking, Each year about 440,000 people die in the United States from illnesses. Many of these people were suffering from more than one smoking-related condition."
Marijuana has not caused the death of a human being, ever. There is no such instance in the history of mankind where and individual has died of overdose of marijuana, or long term effects of marijuana. "To what degree should the government of Belize should exercise control over the private lives of citizens?” It amuses me that some of the most well-known leaders who are the biggest users of Marijuana are the ones, who just can't shut up about their hatred of Marijuana. Some reasons why marijuana should be legalized are:
1) The government could then collect a tax from it
2) It would cost so much less- since we wouldn't clog up our jails and prisons with it
3) It would be less expensive than our very expensive war on drugs.
4) Should be legalized because it has lots of medicinal uses.
5) Marijuana is something "God" made so lets be good Samaritans of the lord and use what he has provided us with. Thank you lord.
I disagree with Oscar because why talk about the effect of weed. lets talk about the effect of alcohol and tobacco, that now is a big problem and has lots of effects. The only reason people bash against weed is because its illegal or else they would not even worry about it. Yet alcohol and tobacco are legal but are worse in every sense.So the problem here is that its illegal not its effects. If alcohol or tobacco was illegal there would be the the same problem but its not so nobody talk cares about it. My point is the "effects" of weed is not a valid reason to not decriminalize it.
"The only reason people bash against weed is because its illegal or else they would not even worry about it. Yet alcohol and tobacco are legal but are worse in every sense."
Let's remember why marijuana is illegal and why tobacco and alcohol are legal.
Remember the History of Belize? that boring book we had to read in Standard 6 to pass Social Studies PSE? It said that: 1. The favourite beverage of the Baymen was: ALCOHOL!!!! 2. The favourite passtime of the Baymen was: DRINKING ALCOHOL!!!! No wonder noone ever thought about making alcohol illegal. Wow.
Another hobby the Baymen enjoyed was the smoking of tobacco in their big pipes, and don't forget the chewing and spitting of tobacco as well. Tobacco was regarded as the rich man's drug. Then up came the poor black man's discovery of Something That Makes You High: Marijuana, The Cheaper Drug. Then higher up came the Big Bad Whiteman, crushing the black man's dream of experiencing a high like the white man's, and told everyone that marijuana is Bad, and made it illegal to use marijuana. So the whiteman continued to sell the expensive tobacco, crushing the sale of cheap marijuana with his Great Laws. And to this day, marijuana is still illegal.
Karl Marx once said, "Religion is the opium of the masses. It is the cry of the oppressed creature." In reference to that, Daphne Stewart is saying, "Laws are the opium of the Belizean. It is the whim of the depressed Leaders."
I would agree with you that its the effect are bad but why they have to abuuse it everyday and also they have to pay a fee for it. I don't see the sense of it. People doesn't see the damages they are doing to the body that they are killing themslves. To start with the GOB should go for it because the future youths are the same ones they are destroying their lives and they enjoy it like crazy and whenever you tell them they just laugh like fools and idiots. I hate things like this happens especially drugs.
I totally agree with Daphne Stewart because yes since marijuana is an illegal drug they are many arguments on why it should be legalize but this is done mainly by the persons using it. it's through that the reason why tobacco and alcohol are legal is because it doesn't pose a lot of threats on the individuals that consume it, the effects of alcohol are minimal to that of marijuana.
I agree with you Oscar that the Government of Belize should not pass the law in decriminalizing marijuana for several reasons. Smoking marijuana is a health hazard for weed smokers or anyone who decided to smoke the drug. Also it is risky for pregnant women to smoke marijuana, which can affect the growth and development of an unborn fetus. It can cause mental retardation, blindness, respiratory and lungs deficiencies to the child. Also smoking marijuana, contributes to the rampant crime in Belize; which the government themselves are running out of ideas to deal with the situation, much less to decriminalize marijuana. That will definitely open the door to more vulnerable and uncontrollable situations. Hence the reason you have said it right, GOB should not pass the law to decriminalize the drug.
I agree with what you have said Oscar mainly because we are looking on its side-affects and the dependency. And as mentioned by Vashdi your posted with different points are very interesting. especially about the pregnant woman and what it does to her unborn child.
I totally agree with you Oscar, in my opinion it should not be decriminalized. If GOB proceeds with this matter our little country will find itself with so much more health and crime problems. Then in the end it will be us the citizens to take on the burden of caring for those that become ill in the longer run after using this drug years and years. I don't think GOB has put much thought into this matter. What will happen to those that become ill with lung cancer, breathing problems, babies born ill due to the exposure of the drug? Belize does not have the proper facilities in place. Imagine the increase in crime rate, as if we didn't have a problem already. All those youths walking with weed in hand, impaired judgement, what will stop them from wanting more? Demanding an increase in the legal amount, lower court fines, then what... make "harder" drugs legal too? I say NO to decriminalizing Marijuana.
The Government of Belize should not legalize or decriminalize marijuana.According to the research of marijuana it stated tha marijuana is a dry shredded green/brown mix of flowers and leaves of the plant Cannabis sativa. The main chemical in marijuana is THC(delta9tetrahydrocannabinol). when smoked the THC passes from the lungs into the blood stream which is transported to the brain and other organs. when this chemical reaches the brain it connect with other receptors or nerve cells that affect coordination, memory, sensory, thoughts and pleasure this causes the marijuana "high".Even thou no one has died from marijuana it has it short and long term effects, why would our GOB would want to legalize and decriminalized marijuana in belize and know its a hazard to our health.Research has shown that marijuana limits the capacity to absorb and retain information and that is a fact.well if this is the case then we can do the same for other drugs.
In my opinion, GOB should not pass any laws to legalize and decriminalized marijuana in any quatity at all. we have seen whereby other states in the world has laws against possessing and selling marijuana, and they are fighting war against drug. If we surely get to this state then you tell me how are we going to fight this war on drugs, crime? when legalizing it and decriminalizing in small quantity who would be benefitting from it, the drug lords who would use it as a money making business.yes i understand some people would use it as medicine, but i believe that's just an excuse to grow and abuse it even more.what about our generation growing up? this would surely be a problem. especially our young people who uses marijuana, may end up with a criminal record that can hurt their future plan for college or finding a job. And also more and more business place are testing for drugs as part of the hiring process.Our GOB needs to consult the people country wide and then let the public vote on it.
I agree with you; legalizing the drug has more negative effects than positive effects. It doesn't really benefit the country and it can cause major chaos in the country if the government chooses to legalize it.
I agree with you, that marijuana has positive and negatives effect but my question is why do people abuse drugs? What is the sense of abusing? The only thing you can gain is risking your health.Drug left people mentally ill what did the Government have done about it. It's time to the government and the citizens of Belize decide.
I totally agree with you Josephine, and its quite clear that you have did your research ; you have brought some strong points why GOB should not decriminalize marijuana. Decriminalizing marijuana in our little country call Belize, can definitely have a negative impact on our society, in our schools and on the work field. Also I like the fact that you have mentioned that marijuana limits the capacity to absorb and to retain information. In the sense that they would not be able to function well in school, even at the job site. In the end this will increase the number of high school drop out, and unemployed works, which eventually can lead to idol minds.
secondly another factor that captures my attention, being a third world country,we have not gotten to point of war against drug possession of marijuana. This can be critical for us being a small population, and we would not be able to control the situation. Hence the reason GOB should take this into consideration, and think twice of passing such laws, think of our young children's future.
I agree with Josephine. The decriminalization of marijuana would have a negative effect on our country, and like you said even though it can be used for medically reasons. People will only use this as an excuse to abuse the use of marijuana. I agree with you 100% you have brought up some very good arguments as to why the government should not decriminalize marijuana.
I think that the Government of Belize should not pass laws to decriminalized marijuana. Because marijuana is very useful. It is recreational, it is use for medical use and it calms some people nerves. Marijuana has never killed anyone however it helps people more than anything. Many people say it is because of marijuana there is so many crime and accidents. I think that statement is false crime and accidents have their own contributions. In fact Marijuana open your mind some students who do marijuana before entering a class usually do well in the class and are usually the ones to answer questions more than the others who are not taking “pot”. Besides from Marijuana they are may other drugs that are use in the medicines we are taking. Why not focus on those drugs as well? Why don’t we just legalize marijuana and stop all the argument. Think of it this way. If marijuana can help with medical problems don’t you think it can prevent the medical problems as well?
Totally agree with you Vashdi Moguel, that's what am talking about. It has more positive effect than negative. Thats the reason why we have so many legal drugs today, because of the positive side of them. Califonia and India and so many other country legalized it so why is it so hard for Belize to do the same.
I must disagree with Vashdi Moguel, Marijuana might have positive effects but the side effects of these positive effects are not taken into consideration. Marijuana is a drug and that is a fact, nothing else should be taken into account. we are already faced with many health issues due to alcohol and cigarette abuse, so why should we allow another drug to be legalize? Are we insane or do we want to kill out our generations faster? I honestly belief that Marijuana should not be decriminalized and worst yet, legalized.
I totally agree with you Vashdi. This will help our country in so many ways. Both the pros and cons needs to be viewed in this situation. One of the advantages of this drug is for medical purposes. Since people with cancer have become alarming, marijuana helps cancer patients. This is a step in order to help make Belize a better place.
Oscar we do understand that it is a drug. however there is so many other drugs out here that we are not focusing on like I said before Marijuana haven't killed anyone never yet. On the other hand we have other drugs out here that are far way more awful than marijuana and is taken everyday in the medicines today so why not pass a rule for those as well? we cant because it for medical use and we don't want to see people dying around us. like wise the marijuana helps so lets not be selfish and think only about our selves and remember the needs of others out here.
Vashdi, I agree. You made reasonable points as to why they should legalize marijuana. Not because it's legalize your forced to use it. It's your personal choice as to whether you see it beneficial to you or not. It can help our country not only in medical usage but also as a way to gain tax for those who are users as well.
I agree with you Completely vashdi.Marijuana has a lot of positive effects as you stated above, it calms the nerves and it helps ailments. Moreover it is proven that marijuana works for illness such as depression and chronic pain, so why not legalize it?
Hey Vashdi sorry to be a bugger but I think you're contradicting yourself. So what like that because you stated that you dont want the law to be passed but yet your points that are made about is that if it is passed all these good things would happen...Oh and just check over your work for little mistake like when you meant many and may showed up.. but any way you have a valid point if its legalize
I totally agree with the decriminalization of weed and the government should pass the law. Decriminalization means that a specific activity (such as the possession of a small amount of weed) would be removed from the scope of the criminal courts, but would still be against the law. With decriminalization, the user would be persecuted differently and an “alternative penalty”, such as a fine would be the consequence. It doesn’t mean that it will legalize. Legalization would involve the removal of legal penalties, although regulations and rules about the about production and distribution could still be developed and put into effect. Weed is no more harm than alcohol and tobacco and they are both legal in Belize, so what makes weed worse? When its alcohol and tobacco killing hundreds of people everyday, but yet that’s what is legal and nobody is worried about it or says anything. Just because it’s legal it doesn’t make it better because it’s not. It also has medical benefits like for cancer, Aids and other sickness. In the U.S.A the impact on youth monitoring the future, occasional paper series: paper No. 13 Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan the government studies conclude that weed decriminalization has had to virtually no effect on either weed use or beliefs and related attitudes about weed young people in those states that have enacted such a policy. I don’t agree with the consumption of weed or saying its right to do it but the government of Belize should decriminalize it. Why call a person who has been caught with one stick of weed a criminal? When there are other bigger issues that the government of Belize has at the moment. They are attacking the little fishes when they should go for the big fish but don’t.
Crystal,I agree with your points to decriminalize marijuana 100%. It has many benefits for the country. And like you stated that it gives the courts and police more time to focus on more serious crimes than to deal with petty crimes.
I am in total agreement with your view, Crystal. The government of Belize should decriminalize marijuana since it has medicinal benefits on several illnesses. The government would be assisting those with these illnesses simply by allowing them to have only a small portion to suit their specific ailments. Other crimes such as killing and robbery are getting the same jail time and consequences as being found with a small portion of marijuana.
I agree with you Crystal. I think that the government should pass the law because majority of people that's go to jail are poor people that can not pay the fine so that they going to jail and that will take up space where real criminal belong to be.
Medicated marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, vomiting, nausea and several other symptoms caused by cancer, AIDS or the harsh drugs used to treat certain illnesses. Marijuana is also less toxic than many of the other drugs used nowadays and it is safe to use. However it is a dangerous drug and there are other pain killers offered which are much safer to use. Marijuana has serious side effects which can cause and increase in heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure for uses who smoke marijuana. Smoked marijuana damages the brain, heart, lungs and immune system. Marijuana causes chronic bronchitis and the same degree of damage to bronchial mucosa as would twenty or more cigarettes can do a day. It harms the user’s ability to learn and interferes with memory, perception and judgment. As well it contains cancer- causing compounds. How ironic that it eases the pain of cancer and contains cancer-causing compounds?
In every user marijuana affects the sex and hormones, for instance, males who smoke marijuana can lower there testosterone. So alert to all men testosterone is what puts hair on a man’s chest and it’s the force behind a man’s sex drive. Regular users of marijuana may also lead to abnormal sperm or immature sperm production. Females on the other hand who use marijuana prolong their menstrual cycle making them have an irregular period. During pregnancy babies are born with weak central nervous system and an abnormal response to light and sound. Based on all that I have read and informed myself about I do not think that the Government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana. At first I thought that marijuana was good for the body helps with pain and cancer but now that I have investigated the matter I came to a different perspective of the situation and in my opinion it should not be legalized.
Lets look at the positive side Ms Karina Balan. and you have it all there people in our country needs to be healed quickly and marijuana is the key to all this dilemma. and ofcourse it has a side effect just like every other legal drug on the market.
I totally agree that marijuana should be legalized. The first and most basic reason that marijuana should be legal is that there is no good reason for it not to be legal. Some people ask 'why should marijuana be legalized?" but we should ask "Why should marijuana be illegal?" From a philosophical point of view, individuals deserve the right to make choices for themselves. The government only has a right to limit those choices if the individual's actions endanger someone else. This does not apply to marijuana, since the individual who chooses to use marijuana does so according to his or her own free will. The government also may have a right to limit individual actions if the actions pose a significant threat to the individual. But this argument does not logically apply to marijuana because marijuana is far less dangerous than some drugs which are legal, such as alcohol and tobacco.
Marijuana can be used as medicine because it helps to stimulate appetite and relieve nausea in cancer and AIDS patients.these are the most common diseases in Belize people. so the best thing is to legalize this medicine and save some lives!
Justin, they are, good, in fact, great reasons for marijuana not be legalized. So you might want to check that out. Secondly, they are several reasons why marijuana should be illegal. IT IS A DRUG! it is used for medication, yes, but if not used properly it can become seriously dangerous to the person using it as well as they people that are around someone who is under the influence of that drug. It is said that the drug takes over and allows one to do things they would not do on a regular day, so yes, they are many reason for this drug not to be illegal.
Justin, the lives of cancer and AIDS patient can be save. but the answer to that problem is not by legalizing marijuana ain't the answer there other ways of helping these patients without legalizing marijuana that will not cause our society to become a midlife crisis
I understand where you are coming from Justin, but there are other drugs that can be used that are not so detrimental. Marijuana contains 421 chemicals and it stays in the body for a month, depending if the person is a heavy user. Marijuana contains cancer causing-chemicals which is sometimes even more than the amount found in tobacco smoke. As well people who smoke marijuana often develop similar symptoms as cigarette smokers, such as: coughing or wheezing. Also Justin, how can marijuana help cancer fighting patients if it contains cancer-causing chemicals? I understand that your best interests are with these patients who need help and so are mine, but there are other alternatives.
I agree with you justin marijuana should be legalize because it dose no harm to the human body. I also think that marijuana is good for the body, most people use it as medicine for people.
Anyone who believes that decriminalizing marijuana possession will help control our nation’s drug crisis is completely out of touch with the reality of the problem. Decriminalization will make matters worse for a number of reasons. First, decriminalizing marijuana possession will enable users to spend more time being high. When people can walk the streets with it in their pockets without fear of arrest, they will have it more often and use it more often. It is hardly an encouraging prospect to think that marijuana users will be high more often. Such a disastrous outcome will put even more pressure on our families, communities, businesses, health services, and law enforcement officials. Second, it will increase the likelihood that more people, especially impressionable, curious young people, will try the drug. When government declares that something is no longer illegal, many people drop their guard. They surmise that if the government isn’t worried about it, it must not be very dangerous. The only thing decriminalization will do is create more customers for the illicit drug trade. People who use marijuana will be more inclined to want to try other drugs. Decriminalization will not reduce the current drug problem afflicting our nation; it will increase it. When has demand for something ever not been met? People find a way to get what they want, and as long as there is an easy profit in it, there will always be someone willing to supply them. It is a scientific fact that the younger a person is when he starts to use illicit drugs, the greater the likelihood that he will develop drug dependency. We have enough young people living that reality already. We certainly do not need to increase their numbers.
If marijuana were to be legalized, consumption of it would likely increase. Along with that would likely come health and community costs: increase in accidents due to motor impairment, increase in associated illnesses such as cancer, as is the case with cigarette smoking, as well as the multiple hospitalizations and surgeries often accompanying those addicted to nicotine. Many are against of the legalization of marijuana because of its claimed negative impacts. Marijuana is one of the most abused drugs across the world and the call for its legalization has a significant impact on governments and individuals. This has informed my opinion that marijuana should not be legalized since doing so will lead to increased addiction, social evils like crime and additional burdens to the world’s health care system through treatment of this addiction and drug induced accidents. Marijuana can be socially addictive. If a person got addicted on it, his life becomes dependent on it. Some long-time users say that marijuana is addictive. Many of them show signs of dependence on marijuana because they develop withdrawal symptoms if they were not able to use the drug. Marijuana’s medical uses are not yet globally accepted.
Well said Elton Guevara I agree. It’s clear you did your research. The legalization of marijuana is expensive. Street marijuana normally cost half the price a person would pay for medicated marijuana. There is also no guarantee that street marijuana will be free of contaminants that can harm a person. It is best to use the money for a more productive cause.
that is quite likely true Elton. that is also another main reason why Marijuana should not be legal. it will create the settings of the economy without you even see it coming
i disagree that marijuana should be legal. but i do agree that it is being prescribe by a doctor for medical reason. the reason being that marijuana does not only affect yourself but also affect others around for more info on this go to website http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_marijuana_affect_the_health_of_other_people_around_you_or_near_them
The decriminalization of marijuana has both positive and negative effects. Marijuana is a mixture of seeds, flowers and leaves that originated from an Indian plant called Hemp.Marijuana has many different names, such as; ganja, pot, weed, grass, etc.The drug is very common for the use of smoking. Now, the government is contemplating whether or not they should legalize marijuana. In my opinion marijuana should NOT be legalized. Though the drug can be beneficial to the cure or the ease of pain for some diseases that should not be the major reason why it should become legal country wide. the government should make a legal agree, that in order to get it to help with the disease it MUST be prescribed by a LEGAL doctor.
Marijuana has a lot of effects that can cause severe damage to the brain. when consuming the drug it controls the central nervous system and causes the individual to do things that they would not normally do. Let's say the drug becomes legal... Everyone will want to try; especially teenagers. They don't know how their system will react to it. What if when consuming the drug a person chooses to kill someone? Who will be at fault then? the individual won't be blamed because they were under the consumption of drugs.... So then what will happen to society. The whole system will be destroyed! No order, No justice. People will have too much freedom and that liberty will then cause chaos in the country.
I must applaud you, Alexandra, good job in detailing why the government of Belize should not decriminalize Marijuana. I totally agree with you, and I must add that Marijuana is a very addicted drug and the more you smoke this drug the more addicted you become to it. In many cases, persons who smoke Marijuana also smoke cigarette, which makes matters worst in regards to their health. The majority of persons who use Marijuana tend to take little or no pride in themselves. They are most of the time dirty, ragged and smell awfully bad. Perhaps that is only in Belize, but if that is what the drug causes then why should our government decriminalize or worst yet legalize Marijuana.
I agree with you 100%, especially when you said "what will happen to society", because if marijuana is decriminalize our youth will want to experiment and try it and their health will be affected,and what will happen to our future, because the youths are our future. Although marijuana has been prove to be beneficial to ease the pain for some disease, the cons outweigh the pros. Therefore i agree with you, Alexandar that marijuana should not be decriminalize.
Marijuana is a drug as well as a medication; however it, like any other medication or drug, has side effects. The government of Belize is contemplating on whether they should decriminalize this drug. Marijuana is decriminalized in many countries, yes, it cures some sicknesses, yes, but bottom line, it is a drug and it allows individuals to react in some ways they may not react or behave the way they would if they were not under the influence of the drug. People are different; they react to different things on different ways, what may be good for one person would not be good for another person. So, the government should take that into consideration. Since marijuana is also is a medication the government should also take that into consideration. Believe it or not marijuana has helped many people. So, I personally think the government should decriminalize marijuana to a certain extent. I mean, if someone is caught with a stick of weed, why would they spend time behind bar for that? That is ridiculous. So to implement this, the government should arrest or take to court any person who has more than so much grams of marijuana, for example, ten (10) grams. If a person is caught with more than ten (10) grams of marijuana he/she should face the consequences. However, if the person needs it for medical reasons they should have a prescription on him/her whenever he/she is using the drug in case the police ask for the prescription. Also, in order to lessen the amount of marijuana cases the government should implement the law, like the alcohol law, that no one should be caught smoking in public places. I believe that if this law is enforced it will make the police officers' job a little less difficult. If this law is not followed consequences will be enforced. So, all in all, the government should legalize marijuana, but to a certain extent.
I strongly agree that there are many good uses of marijuana. It does help in many health issues. Marijuana like any other drugs when one abuse it will have a side effect. I remember the older people use to soak a little of the leaves in alcohol and other herbs and use it as a rubbing compound. These days people use and abuse its use. Creating serious problems for themselves and others. I also agree that there should be a small amount that one can have at any one time, but when found with more than the amount then they should definitely be penalized, as well as using it in the public. It should be more of a home use. On the other hand persons who frequently use and abuse marijuana do suffer in the longer run. They become addicts and believe that they cannot live without using the drug. Having marijuana at home will give individuals the opportunity to misuse the drug. This will create serious family problems at home, like already exist, and an increase in broken homes, children, woman and man neglect and abuse. So i would say that marijuana should not be decriminalize.
I agree with Shari Bowen.....Marijuana should be decriminalized but to a certain extent....and for medicinal use, the person should have a prescription on them....I hope the government really take this into consideration.
marijuana would therefore allow these and other students too openly use and abuse marijuana, which will result not only health issues but criminal issues as well. From a previous experience with I personally believe that the Government of Belize should not pass the laws to decriminalize marijuana. Research has shown that over 50% of young people has either used marijuana in the past or are presently using marijuana. A survey of 100 high school students and 200 University students revealed that 60% of both categories are using marijuana almost daily. This is the preferred drug since it is cheaper and has easier accessed, not withstanding the its illegality. Legalizing or decriminalizing a marijuana user I can attest that the use of marijuana results in individuals behaving in a not so normal manner. They become so ignorant and stupid, they not only harms themselves but also create problems for their families and the community. This leads to higher crime rates, broken families, harm to individuals and the society. I believe that it starts from a "small" drug like marijuana then eventually leads to the use and abuse of other drugs. If marijuana were to be legalized, its consumption would definitely increase. Along with that it would surely create health and community costs: increase in accidents due to motor impairment, increase in associated illnesses such as cancer, as is the case with cigarette smoking, as well as the multiple hospitalizations and surgeries often accompanying those addicted to nicotine.
I personally believe that the Government of Belize should not pass the laws to decriminalize marijuana. Research has shown that over 50% of young people has either used marijuana in the past or are presently using marijuana. A survey of 100 high school students and 200 University students revealed that 60% of both categories are using marijuana almost daily. This is the preferred drug since it is cheaper and has easier accessed, notwithstanding the illegality. Legalizing or decriminalizing
i do agree with you Mar Guerra because it is being abused in our country. If we decriminalize it, it will be like telling them it is good to use it and to let them continue abusing it. Due to this what will be left of our future generation. we are a role model to them and they look up to us to learn and be a role model for the future. when those young people become grown adults they will teach others to do the same and that will lead to corruption to the next generation. it will also affect their health, also being high and not in control of themselves can allow them to abuse their children which they do not deserve. its best to not decriminalize it and enforce the law so that our country can be a better place than it is now.
I think that Marijuana should be decriminalized. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. Marijuana was once a legal drug until California passed the first state marijuana law, outlawing preparations of hemp (marijuana). The earliest known woven fabric was apparently of hemp (marijuana), and over the centuries, the plant was used for food, incense, cloth, rope, medicine and much more. There is evidence pointing to slight increases in lung air flow rates as well as enhancements in lung volume from occasional marijuana use. The plant also possesses a significant painkilling effect as well as noticeable improvements in sleep. Some cannabis activists actually state that certain properties of marijuana can act as a “cure-all” in the right forms. The use of marijuana is associated with the stimulation of appetite and relief from nausea. Marijuana use reduces muscle spasms and relieves eye pressure for glaucoma patients. The drug is also used in the treatment of health complications such as epilepsy, AIDS and HIV, sexual dysfunction, anxiety and panic attacks, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. In addition to that, the benefits of medical marijuana extend to the treatment of health diseases such as alcohol abuse, spinal cord injuries, cancer, bipolar disorder, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, migraines, and fibromyalgia. Medical marijuana is also useful to treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep apnea, Parkinson’s disease, sickle-cell disease, and psoriasis. According to my research, marijuana is the least harmful compared to cigarette and alcohol that changes the behaviors of someone. If the Government legalizes marijuana, a license may be given to the producers and distributors attaching to it a percent of tax that should be collected as Government revenue. The price of high quality marijuana in Belize is $600 per ounce, medium quality is $360 per ounce and low quality is $20 per ounce according to The Price of Weed website census in 2011.This will produce a lot of money to the country. This might even help Belize in paying off their Super bond. There are many myths about the use of marijuana, such as Marijuana use leads to harder drugs, but that is a lie because According to statistics of the government of the United States, over 75 percent of all Americans who use marijuana never use harder drugs. In fact, use of alcohol that is easily and affordably available leads to most drugs. Another myth is that the use of marijuana is addictive in nature, but medical studies have confirmed over a period of time that marijuana is less habit forming than caffeine. Marijuana could be used without harmful impacts to the individual or society, and this truth should no longer be kept hidden from all. If that is not all, marijuana is not nearly as addictive as alcohol or tobacco that are considered legal and sold openly. The dangers of marijuana use have been exaggerated for long and it is time that the credibility of teachers, law enforcement officials, and scientists be restored by accepting the real truth that marijuana is not a harmful drug.
I do agree with Trynise. The country are in so much debts, that the extra stream of money gotten from the decriminalization of marijuana may help to pay off some of those debts. The drug should be more viewed as a medicine and a helper as it helps many to cope with their illnesses. The government should do this in order to help the country lower crime rates and so much more.
I don't agree with Camree's statement: "The country are in so much debts, that the extra stream of money gotten from the decriminalization of marijuana may help to pay off some of those debts."
Do you mean that we can sell marijuana to help pay off our debts? Seriously? By making this come through we might give the BDF a job trying to defend little Belize. Remember, the rest of the world still views marijuana as a "drug", and therefore, a BAD THING. If we start to sell marijuana to other countries, it would be on the Black Market. No country would want to openly buy an illegal drug. That would mean hurting their economy by the hundredfolds. Other countries would say,"Belize is hurting our people by encouraging them to get high off marijuana. Let's not support Belize," and BAM! there's no one else to buy our rice and sugar and onions and oranges. We cannot afford to have the rest of the world against us. We are not a little hermit island in the middle of the ocean, we need the rest of the world.
And yes, the only way selling marijuana would benefit us is if we has a great Marijuana Industry. Having privatized marijuana trading would not benefit the counry, just a few weed farmers' pockets.
There are some good arguments that are presented for and against the legalization of Marijuana. However i have to dis agree with the persons who want to legalize marijuana. I do believe that they are medicinal purpose of Marijuana but if it is legalized i believe that drug users would start to abuse it even more if it is legalized. On every corner of each street they will have abusers smoking and acting the fool because it is legal. The active ingredient in marijuana acts on cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and influences the activity of those cells.
Marijuana has lots of negative effects on a person for example it can cause negative effects on the heart. Within a few minutes after smoking marijuana, the heart begins beating more rapidly and the blood pressure drops. Marijuana can cause the heart beat to increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute, and can increase even more if other drugs are used at the same time. Smoking marijuana also affect the lungs , even infrequently, it can cause burning and stinging of the mouth and throat, and cause heavy coughing. Scientists have found that regular marijuana smokers can experience the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers do. So while some can find many reasons why the Government of Belize should legalize Marijuana, I believe that there are more reasons as to why they should not legalize Marijuana.
I agree with 100% Lisa Requena because legalizing marijuana will make Belize worst than it is. Some people are not afraid to smoke in public but once it is decriminalized more people will start to smoke anywhere. second hand smoke is more worst for the health of others. Marijuana is not a bad herb but the way people use it makes it bad. it was actually meant for medical use but now it is best that it should not be decriminalize because people now abuse it in an unreasonable way. we must not only think about how it will affect me but also how it affects others as an individual. the future will reflect on us because it is what we cause it to be, based on how we will teach the future generation.
After careful observations and research, I strongly do agree that the government should decriminalize marijuana. Marijuana is a green, brown or grey leaves (dried), stems and seeds of the hemp plant. This will help the country economically, politically and socially. Socially, this move will help by lowering petty crimes such as thefts and robberies. Marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing the nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients and reducing intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma. It also helps reduces muscle spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. Drug dealers in Belize will lose business and will not have control over the quality and distribution of the drug. Marijuana does not cause long tern cognitive impairment although the short-term effects of marijuana include immediate, temporary changes in thoughts, perceptions, and information processing. This drug does not promote to driving accidents although in some cases it may cause changes in one’s driving ability. So much people are arrested each year for marijuana but majority of them are for simple possession. The decimalization of marijuana will bring in a new source of income for the country which in return may be helped to may debts owed. Less money will be spent on the criminal and health system as marijuana is a medicine. Since there has been controversy over the years between gangs due to drugs and more, this may help decrease expenditure on drug warfare. I think that if the government does decriminalize marijuana, so then medicinal business should be opened in the country to legally distribute the drug for medicinal purposes.
There are pros and cons to this Legalising of Marijuana Commotion.
My personal experience with marijuana has been great. When I was about 6 months old I had signs of asthma (the coughing and whatsnot), and my mom boiled marijuana leaves and fed it to me in my bottle. I haven't had any signs of asthma since. I think marijuana is good, that is, IF ITS TO BE USED AS A MEDICINE.
However, I don't understand why, if marijuana is illegal and we want to stay out of jail, people fearlessly smoke it on the streetcorners. I think its plain stupidity if you know that by carrying marijuana around you could get charged and get locked down overnight, and yet brag openly that you have "weed" on your person. I don't think that just because a lot of people conform to doing something that is deemed unlawful, that the law should be changed so that the crime statistics decrease.
What's next, are we going to make it legal to shoot someone on the street for no reason just because we have high gun violence statistics?
yes marijuana has it helpful purposes specifically for asthma patients, but should that justify that fact that it is still harmful on others that don't suffer from any illnesses, that require treatment by using marijuana, NO! yes it may be stupid for someone to deliberately carry marijuana with them and know that if caught with it they can be charge with possession depending on the amount they have, but it's not their fault for illegal possession of marijuana has become some what of a norm in our society. It's not their fault, I say this because if the government had done some serious planning and heavily enforce the laws of drug possession then no one would think to carry it on them. maybe some would since everyone has the right to do what he/she feels to do. But still this may be seen as a poor argument by some since although persons maybe free to think and feel what they want they are easily persuade by persons with power.
i must say i fully agree with Miss Stewart. Marijuana is very helpful with asthma patients but not so helpful if u smoke it. who can prove that smoke is good for the body? What other medication, either naturally grown herd or a prescription drug, is best when consumed by smoking.NONE.... so lets face it, it is a good herb but not as we are using it so i don't feel that we need to DECRIMINALIZE it because majority of the people coming forward who wants this are those who just abuse it and are addicted to smoking Marijuana they don't use it for any health reason but just to smoke and get high.if it so why don't we smoke all naturally grown herd.
Marijuana should be legalized by the Government. Why? Because not only is marijuana a drug but it is also a medicine that helps to relieve nausea for AIDS and Cancer victims and also stimulate apetite. According to mlo@mjlegal.org "Some religions instruct their followers to use marijuana. Just like Christianity and Judaism instruct their followers to drink wine on certain occaisions, some Hindus, Buddhists, Rastafarians, and members of other religions use marijuana as part of their spiritual and religious ceremonies. These people deserve the freedom to practice their religion as they see fit. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that the government cannot 'prohibit the free exercise' of religion, and so marijuana should be legal." So if different religions use marijuana for their own beliefs the Government should at least consider legalizing marijuana instead of making it seem like such a bad thing.
Another reason why marijuana should be legal is because even though the Government does not want to allow it people are still using it. And they use it for many different reasons. Even the young kids especially high school children are buying and selling marijuana. This is to show that prohibition does not work. People use it anyway. People that deal with marijuana do not care how old you are as long as you have money they will sell marijuana to you because to them money talks. Therefore, the Government should legalize marijuana because it is not only a drug but also a medicine that help people and can save lives.
i agree with kadiesha because weather the law pass or not people will still use marijuana. like for instance now the law have'nt pass as yet but look how many people are using it. so sit and think about it a difference will not be made if u go through such procedure...
I do not agree with Kadeisha Flowers because I have a strong dislike towards marijuana. I guess it is when you get hit with it in the home you just turn against it but I do not think that Belize should legalize nor decriminalize marijuana because it breaks up families and it causes serious and dangerous addictions.
I agree to a certain extent with Kadisha Flowers. Marijuana do has its medicinal purpose. In some cases it’s even religious. Not to stray away from the subject but I believe that if Marijuana is legalized it would not be much of a problem. Bad things are only intriguing to do when it is wrong. I think that if Marijuana is legalized no one would want to smoke it again. It would be common and easy to find therefore it would not be worth it anymore. It wouldn’t make a fun thing to do again since everyone is doing it. After that we will only be left with the person who has medicinal use for marijuana taking it and it wouldn’t be in excess amounts.
Thank Mr.Tucker for your encouraging remarks i hope you are having a ball. I hope its on the beach with your shades, bath trunk and cerveza in your hand.
Mariguana is a drug- it alters the state of mind of an individual no matter the age, sex or economic status. Decriminalizing means that an individual who is caught with Mariguana in his or her possession will not be charged with an offence and thus the individual will be able to use the drug as as he or she pleases. Decriminalizing Mariguana can be very detrimental to our young and vibrant society. It will increase the number of users and will add to the number of producers, above all their will be an increase in crime in the country. Since individuals from all walks of life will be able to consume this lucrative drug our country will experience a great increase in Ganga users. At present our residents are afraid to use this drug in public because they can rest assured that if caught, a charge will certainly be levied upon them. The fact that a law exists to regulate and punish the use of this drug tends to keep users somewhat in the shadows. Those that use it do it but with a sense of limitation. The production of Cannabis Sativa is one which has greatly evolved. People in other parts of the world are producing weed in a clandestine ways. Mariguana producers are now using an advanced horticulture method to grow it inside their homes under a controlled climate method. The decriminalization of Mariguana would mean that more individuals will be tempted to use this drug. Now, if there is an increase in demand, the law of economics dictates that more will surely be supplied, and who would be the supplier? The increase in number of suppliers, who would join the market for the profit, will produce a Ganja that is more potent, more addictive and even more flavourful to attract more users. In the US, specifically California, Mariguana is now the main agricultural product being produced, this tops corn and potatoes. Many individuals who are financed by the rich Mexican cartels have moved to California to enjoy in this new gold rush era. Mind you, Mariguana has been legalized in this state. The same will happen in our lovely Belize if decriminalization occurs. Crime in Belize is rampant; every day there is a crime to report; either someone is killed, robbed or abducted or the list goes one. Decriminalizing Mariguana would have a serious effect on our crime rate. Those who become addicted especially our youth, who are the most vulnerable, will turn to criminal activity to heal their habits. Jamaica, a country in the Caribbean region, is one where many of its residents use Mariguana. The use of this drug is somewhat engraved as part of their culture, the Island is also one with the highest level of crime. Is this what we want for Belize? We are already branded as one of the worst countries in the Caribbean as it relates to crime. Imagine what decriminalization would do to us. We must bear in mind that when lawyers run a country they will always have a scape goat to protect the criminal element and make more money. Belize is no different, who is our leader now? Who was our leader ten years ago? Get the picture? This is business boy, let the Mariguana be legal. Who cares I don’t use it. No, wait this is not the way or approach we must take. We need to stand up for our country. We must never allow our country to reach to this situation. We can’t even take care of our borders, crime is out of control, and now we want to legalize Mariguana. Is it that our government wants to have a bunch of addicted individuals just walking around smoking a joint here and there and everywhere? That is not the direction we want for our country. We just completed our 31st birthday. We are adults already aren’t we? Are we not able to figure this out ourselves? Who is the one to come up with this bright Idea, I would love to find out. Is this what we want for our children? Or we don’t give a darn about them. God please help us. Peace…. and love but no legalization.
The government of Belize should consider decriminalization the use and distribution of marijuana. Marijuana isn't as harmful as alcohol, cocaine and tobacco. In addition, there are medicinal benefits for cancer patient that use marijuana in its natural form. The state of California have already legalize marijuana as a medicinal drug to treat sever cases of depression. Therefore, legalizing marijuana do have its benefits.
Moreover, legalizing marijuana could be a source of additional tax source. Every country place taxes on alcohol and cigarettes which has worst side effects than the use of marijuana. So why not create another item to become a next source of income. Also, it is expensive to train and pay police and boarder security to decrease the distribution of marijuana illegally. While it is the norm in most countries that marijuana is still distributed on a daily basis. This way if marijuana is legalize training for police and boarder security can be done in different area to stop the distribution of more serious drugs as cocaine.
I strongly agree that the government of Belize should decriminalize the usage of marijuana. The heavy charges of having marijuana on a person weighs the same strength as other serious crimes such as killing and robbery. Too many people end up in jail for having a small amount of marijuana on them and the charge is so invalid that the judges have no other choice but to throw out the case due to lack of evidence. The government should implement laws with consequences for those caught with more than ten grams of marijuana. Any person caught with more than the assigned amount, should then face jail time. Marijuana is a substance that is not considered as harmful as other drugs. This drug can be of medicinal purposes to those suffering from asthma or other lung diseases. Marijuana does not contain any chemical substances that may be harmful to your blood system. Other drugs such as tylenol or other pain killers may be filled with chemicals that can cause other diseases in your body such as Cancer.
I agree with Alexander Smith about 50%. First of all I agree that marijuana should be decriminalized because of the cases that are thrown away but it should not be legalized because it does harm the body (you know when it hits you). It is known to cause mental problems.
I AGREE WITH ALEX 75%....THE POLICE ARE JUST WASTING THEIR TIME AND COURT HOUSE TIME BY TAKING PEOPLE THERE FOR ONLY ONE STICK OF MARIJUANA....I THINK MARIJUANA SHOULD ATLEAST BE DECRIMINALIZED....IM NOT TOO SURE ABOUT LEGALIZING IT.....
I agree with you Alexander. I believe that people that are found with a small amount of marijuana should just be given a citation rather than to be charged, I mean come on that is just ridiculous to be charge for a little bit of weed! Furthermore marijuana is also good for treating ailments and sickness. Why not use a natural herb that God made than harmful manufactured drugs that are loaded with cancer causing agents.
I agree with Alexander 85% because many people are being send to jail for small amount of marijuana for long periods of time leaving sibling behind. While killer and sex offenders are not even going to jail for a day. I highly believe that marijuana should be legalized.
I don't fully agree with what Alexander is say because if we are using marijuana to help with cancer why smoke it, when smoking marijuana or any other drug or tobacco it does contain cancer-causing compounds. so lets be smart if we are using this for any sort of medical reason we won't be smoking it.
I dont think it is that police are wasting their time. If it is illegal it is and officers must follow procedure. About the harmful part; marijuana is factually a medicinal substance but if abused as is done by most users without ligitimate purpose it does causes damages to the brain.
Decriminalization is the treatment of the infraction will be adjusted so that most of the detriments are removed or reduced "according to Government statements." The Government of Belize should past laws to decriminalized Marijuana. Why? As a Government they should protect the future youths of Belize because youths have access to marijuana. They abuse it everyday and it also leave people mentally ill or they get crazy. What does Marijuana do to your body? Marijuana have many effects from an ingredient called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC),which resembles chemical that the body and brain make naturally. It attached to specialized proteins, called cannabinoid receptors(CBRs), which the body's natural chemicals normally bind.(Brain chemical-Anandamide; Drug- THC) THC is similar to brain chemical, it allows drugs to be recognized by the body and to alter normal brain communication. Endocannaboid system plays a role in normal brain development and function. They cluster in brain areas that influence pleasure,memory, thinking, concentration, movenment, coordination, and sensory and time perception. What's the difference between medical and "street" marijuana? There is no difference between "Medical grade" and "street" marijuana. The marijuana sold in dispensaries as medicine is the same quality and carries the same health risks as marijuana sold in the street. It's time to make a new change for the youth of Belize because they are destroying their own lifes and they are not living the they should be. My fellow Belizeans only way is by asking and praying to Lord in Heaven to help the youth and others to realized what the country is becoming a disastrous envirnment for the new born babies just because of the "MARIJUANA".
I strongly agree with you Adriany, yes I like your points on marijuana. GOB should not pass any laws to legalize or decriminalize. Yes our environment is already in a disastrous state. Aren’t they thinking about our children future? Don’t they care about our society? Those who want to use let them go ahead and destroy their health and for those who don’t use it don’t need to worry about our brain being affected. We all need to have people with sense who are thinking to move this country forward.That means we will be having more mentally ill people on the street of Belize.GOB take a vote.
In case of cannabis, more debate has been devoted to the question of whether or not simple possession of cannabis should be treated severely. For example with possible jail terms or more leniently. In the case of treating cannabis possession as a slight or ticketable offence; which largely consists of levelling a small fine. Most countries treat cannabis possession as a criminal offence in that persons convicted of simple cannabis possession; are subjected to serve approximately five years in prison. Moreover, the government of Belize should not past laws to decriminalized marijuana for several reasons. As we know marijuana is a green, brown or grey mixture of dried shredded leaves, and flowers of hemp plant; which serves for several purposes. For example for medicinal purpose, it is believe that it helps asthma patients with their breathing. However decriminalization of certain drug offences meant that instead of being faced with a possible jail term when caught with small quantities of marijuana; the penalties for a person charged with possession consisted of a small or otherwise fairly modest fine. Also a charge of possession in a state that had decriminalized marijuana generally would not lead to arrest, fingerprinting, jailing or any punishment and procedures applied to persons charged with a criminal offence. This can have a negative impact on our society especially for our developing youths that are growing up. In the sense that people would take the laws lightly and eventually would not abide by the rules. Decriminalizing marijuana allows a person to have 10 grams of marijuana that is equivalent to 10 sticks of weed. If the government decriminalize marijuana people would use the opportunity to smoke more and abuse it. For our country this is risky because it can affect the health of other and our surroundings. People who suffers from breathing problems would be severely affected by weed smokers. If people complains about smoking, it would be useless. In the sense that it would be okay to have a certain amount of weed and to smoke freely. In addition, decriminalizing marijuana can increase the risk of getting cancer. Over a period of time constant use of marijuana block the passage canal for your lungs to breath properly. People finds marijuana as a means of relaxation and comfort; but in the end it can cause long term side effects such as getting lung cancer. In Belize it is believe a lot of weed smoker tends to develop lung cancer over a period of time ;that risk their health and eventually losing their lives.
Finally, parents are worried what would happen to our country if the government decriminalize marijuana. In the sense that it can increase the crime rate; causing our youths to get into problems with the law. Marijuana can have a negative impact in their wellbeing and proper functioning. Constant use of marijuana doesn’t allow a person to think and function properly. It affects them mentally and emotionally and stimulates a strong addiction for the drug; especially if it’s not available within their possession. Constant use also makes a person becomes violent and get into a rage of temper. The reason is because they like the feeling of getting high in a trance state. At this stage weed smokers would do any and everything to get their marijuana, even if they have to steal to get it. Hence the reason the government of Belize should think twice to past a law to decriminalize marijuana in Belize, because it will have a negative impact on our society and it can get out of hand.
The government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana because it affects people on a daily life including the heart and lungs, which means that it affects the health of the person using it. Also we have to consider the future of our country. If they decriminalize marijuana it could be smoked in public especially around the children, this can damage their health. We must consider the health of others and second hand is much worst. We must take in consideration that even if it is decriminalized or not, it will be abused but it can be much worst once it is decriminalized. The cannabis plant can be used for medication to relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea and to stimulate appetite. Others just use it to get high but what they do not know is that the THC affects the brain that produces many effects. In my research it says that “THC acts upon specific sites in the brain, called cannabinoid receptors, kicking off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the "high" that users experience when they smoke marijuana. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have few or none. The highest density of cannabinoid receptors is found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentrating, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement”. They will also have problem solving problems, learning or will not be able to remember anything at some point. This happens to people who use it on a daily bases. Using it can allow you to lose control of yourself and it leads them to do criminal act. We must consider not only how it will affect the user but the people that surrounds them. we must consider our future generation.
I agree with you Marlessi when you said that marijuana affects the health of an individual who is using it. As well as when you said that if marijuana was decriminalize people would start smoking in public in front of young children which would affect their health. Also if young teens and even children see others smoking in public they will want to try it for fun to experiment not knowing the consequences it will have on their health. However it is up to an individual personal choice to decide whether or not to smoke marijuana. Therefore I agree with you, Marlessi that the government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana.
They are various reasons why the government of Belize should/should not decriminalize of legalize marijuana. However,one must first look at what is decriminalization and what is legalization. Decriminalization is a very confusing term but, refers to reducing and reclassifying the penalties for the possession or usage of marijuana. While legalization is the process of certifying something so that it will be recognize by the law. Nevertheless, whether the government wants to either decriminalize or legalize marijuana many problems may arise. The decriminalization of marijuana will pose serious threats on the younger generation, this is because teenagers are vulnerable human being and are easily persuade to do what is wrong. It allows for more persons to be curious and try it,allows for more customers to illicit drug trade in Belize and also it is very addictive. An addiction can lead to serious mental and physical disabilities,affects an adolescent brain, which can lead to poor academic performance, allows for the user to becomes violent and this may lead to them using more powerful and stronger drugs. These are just effects on the person using it, how about the people around them. For example,the parents friends or teachers,all these person are affected. Since these persons connects back to the person using marijuana,everyone is someone else child. so the government should really take in to consideration what the decriminalization of marijuana can to do to our society and not focus on why other countries have done because Belize is different from other well develop countries like Canada. On the contrary , they are maybe the minorities, who have the power and feel that the government should decriminalize. this is said because many educated persons use marijuana, it may stimulate the economy since its a natural resource and will never become boring and it can create a new series of jobs which will help the economy. These may help the economy in some ways but the question is for how long will it help the economy when all Belizeans know that most plans taken by the government never really excel for long term purposes, because they lack planning and decision making skills. in conclusion, no matter the amount of reasons why marijuana shouldn't be decriminalize the government will always have the last word and decide what is best for them and will benefit themselves.
I agree with you concerning the governments attitude.No matter how much we agree or not with legalizing and decriminalizing Marijuana at the end the government always makes a choice which will be convenient for them.So its best to leave it on whatever they are to do, I don't smoke marijuana and illegal or not i won't do it.
When considering if the government of Belize should decriminalize marijuana we must first look at the pros and cons of the decriminalization of Marijuana. In this case, the cons outweigh the pros; therefore I personal believe that the government of Belize should NOT decriminalize marijuana, because it would do more harm than good. Although marijuana has medical benefits for diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and glaucoma, people will this find ways to abuse it for other purposes such as personal pleasure. I believe that if marijuana was decriminalized there should be a law that states that it should only be used if it is prescribe by a doctor, but this would also generate a negative effect because in today’s world anyone can get a fake doctor’s prescription that looks legit or just pay some corrupted doctor to get one. Although many people will say that marijuana is not as harmful as alcohol which is legal, it does have harmful effects to an individual health, especially the brain and not only theirs but also anyone who is around a person who is smoking marijuana. It is a fact that second hand smoke is more harmful than first hand smoke.
We should not decriminalize marijuana because we must also consider the future of our country. What will happen if we decriminalize marijuana? Many of our teenagers will want to experiment if marijuana was decriminalized. They will want to try it to see for themselves how it feels, but what these poor young teenagers don’t know is that marijuana does affect their health especially the brain. They may experiences impaired coordination, and also difficulty with problem solving, not only that, who knows what else? Because their body are just developing they may become addictive to marijuana. Thus I do not support the decriminalization of marijuana.
that is true Tania but not only does it affect the brain but it affects the heart and the longs. marijuana increase the pressure of the heart beat. once the body gets us to the consistency of the heart beat it will be difficult to stop using it because the person who uses it becomes addicted. their are limited people who use marijuana for medical purpose but the majority just use it because they like the way it makes them for or because they where pressured into it and perhaps liked it as well. it is best to not decriminalize marijuana because it can also cause criminal act from the users who lose control of themselves. why make Belize a worst place than it is now. what needs to be done is that they legalize it and enforce the law regardless if they are your friend or because they paid you. law has been broken so do not corrupt the law. make Belize a safe and a better place for our future generation.
I "STRONGLY" agree withe when you say"government of Belize should NOT decriminalize marijuana, because it would do more harm than good. Although marijuana has medical benefits for diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and glaucoma, people will this find ways to abuse it for other purposes such as personal pleasure. I believe that if marijuana was decriminalized there should be a law that states that it should only be used if it is prescribe by a doctor, but this would also generate a negative effect because in today’s world anyone can get a fake doctor’s prescription that looks legit or just pay some corrupted doctor to get one" Because in todays socity it's who you know and your money that plays a big part.
I agree with you Tania, I also believe that Marijuana has good and bad effects on us, humans. However, it is harmful for our brain. Many people intake this drug for pleasure and relief.It is important for medical benefits, yet harmful for our well being.
I strongly agree that the government of Belize should decriminalize cannabis sativa (commonly known as marijuana.
Marijuana, often called ganja, pot, herb, skunk or MJ is a greenish- gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, it is derived from the flower “cannabis sativa” the hemp plant. This drug is usually used for smoking. Decriminalization simply treats small amounts of weed as a civil offense rather than a criminal offence. I don’t believe that people found with small amounts of marijuana should be charged with a criminal offence but should be given a citation and the drug should be confiscated, but I do believe that if someone is caught with more than ten (10) grams of cannabis he or she SHOULD be arrested and be taken to court to face the consequences. Moreover marijuana is not as harmful as ecstasy, heroin or even cocaine! There are a lot of medicinal benefits that are associated with marijuana; it is proven that marijuana relieves chronic pain. Some parts of the USA have already legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Research has shown that marijuana treats severe depression, manic depression, chronic pain and arthritis. All in all I believe marijuana should be decriminalized.
i don't agree with the comment of how you don't thing people with small amount of weed shouldn't be charged. i think they should be charge because its the little amount of things that lead people to do the biggest things. so i think they should be locked up for at least 6 months.
marijuana may have a lot of medical benefits but it also have its negative effects that really harms the brain and as a result affects the way weed smokers behave. the 10 grams of weed might be small but eventually they will consume more of the drug and can become addicted to it.
I believe that the government of Belize should decriminalize marijuana. Why? because it will cause less violence in our community because the males and females who will be using will be felling relax knowing that the police wont harass them for using it. And even if they don't decriminalize it that wont stop anyone from using it. Furthermore some doctors consider marijuana as a medical use for AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, nausea resulting from chemotherapy, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, epilepsy, insomnia, migraines, arthritis and lack of appetite. Doctors have also used medical marijuana on terminally ill patients, as a way to alleviate some of their pain and improve their overall quality of life.so to some it up marijuana should be decriminalize because it help s some people when sick and it brings pleasure to others.
Marijuana may cause some side effects but that's nothing to worry about it helps you think about things in different ways and you can easily understand others in a logical way.But our government of Belize doesn't see it in that way they think that all it is use for are the gang bangers who doesn't have much to to in their life or for someone to make money in the ghetto. And I know that some politicians uses marijuana for recreational purposes. So the government should decriminalize marijuana and let others feel at ease when they need to take a blunt to get relaxed
I doo agree with this statement "some doctors consider marijuana as a medical use for AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, nausea resulting from chemotherapy, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, epilepsy, insomnia, migraines, arthritis and lack of appetite and that Doctors have also used medical marijuana on terminally ill patients, as a way to alleviate some of their pain and improve their overall quality of life". but i dont think the goverment should decriminalize it because not all Belizeans are docters so thay wont know how to use the drug as a treatment they will over use it.Also when you say that this only causes some side effect that is nothing to worry about it is simpley false. stated by Ray Sahelian, M.D. on a document title "Marijuana smoking safety, danger, medicinal uses by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Benefit and health risk" Marijuana has short term and long terms effects.Short ter seffects such as memory and learning problems, distorted perception, and difficulty thinking and solving problems.The Long term side effects are lung disease, chronic cough, mucus, nasal congestion, lack of motivation, decrease in sexual desire, a few extra pounds, and potentially various types cancer.
i do agree because it is a medicine use regularly especially for asthma. atleast i can say that it is far way better than cigerrate we no smoking a lot of cigerate leads up to cancer. while the marijuana is a medical use for cancer.however,once if it is not legalize it will still be the same not a thing will change people in society will not find it affective they are still using it like if it is legal.
I do agree that marijuana is used for many illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, nausea and many others. However smoking marijuana has many side effects. So why cure you illness when you are at risk for decease. If the decriminalization law for marijuana is passes then Belize will have many other crimes and it won’t be safe even though in present we have crime. It’s not a positively impacting our country in any way. We need to legalize other types of penalties such as the death penalty, instead of wasting our time on the legalization of marijuana.
I do agree with the death penalty i haven't thought about that, but now that you state it thats a great idea, so many murders wouldn't be left unsolved anymore.I said legalizing or dicriminalizing it would make no difference because people would still consume it anyway.But in your point of view about legalizing it, it is a waste of time and I am in total agreement with you.
Sorry Lenny, I don't agree with you in decriminalizing marijuana, for medical purposes. Belize doesn't have the facilities in place for isolating the specific compounds necessary to turn marijuana into medicine. Medical Marijuana is still illegal in many countries, and those that do allow it's use for medical purposes provide only specific low doses to patients. The smoking of it is NOT recommended for treatment of any disease condition, although it mitigates nausea, appetite loss and pain, smoking has more dangerous side effects and risks (lung cancer, lung tissue damage, memory loss, loss of intelligence, birth defects, etc...) The harmful effects far outweigh the little help that it might provide.
I strongly agree with Leniqua because legalization would involve the removal of legal penalties, although regulations and rules about production and distribution could still be developed and put into effect.
Decriminalization means that a specific activity (such as the possession of a small amount of marijuana) would be removed from the scope of the criminal courts, but would still be against the law. With decriminalization, the user would be prosecuted differently and an “alternative penalty”, such as a fine, would be the consequence. By fiwebelize(http://fiwebelize.com/2012/07/17/decriminalizing-the-weed-in-belize/)
Recently, the Government of Belize has placed it into the law that any person found with 10 grammes of marijuana or less will not be locked up or charged. In other words, it is now legal to carry or possess 10 grammes of marijuana or less. The Government of Belize are even thinking about the ever so controversial topic decriminalization of marijuana on a whole. If marijuana is legalized all hell will break loose in the country of Belize. Marijuana is illegal still and yet many young boys and men puff their “weed” as it is commonly called in public places not caring if you are affected by the smoke or not, not caring if little children are around or not. Imagine if marijuana were to be made legal, the situation would worsen. They would want to go and smoke the marijuana on school compounds, at the work site. This is just not right. I strongly believe that the Government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana. Firstly, marijuana is an addictive drug and if the Government of Belize decides to decriminalize it, people will use it more openly and more frequently. Because the people will think they have freedom to smoke marijuana more, this will result in an addiction. In layman’s terms, there will be many “weed heads” walking around Belize. Secondly, marijuana is linked to poor academic performance as marijuana kills brain cells. Some students smoke marijuana and if it is decriminalize they will do so more frequently. This will cause them to do poorly in school. Belize’s education system is already arguably in a dilapidated state. Are we willing to sacrifice the academic performance of the students of Belize? Thirdly, a researched was carried out in the United States and it proved that there was a correlation between smoking marijuana and gang activities and carrying gun. This means that those people who smoke marijuana are more likely to get involved in these social ills. This is the most important reason why marijuana should not be decriminalized. The murder rate in Belize has sky rocketed. Other criminal activities such as robbery and home invasion have also become common. Gang activities is at the worst it’s ever been in Belize’s history. All this is happening and marijuana is illegal. Imagine what will happen if marijuana becomes decriminalized. The “streets”, the crime rate will worsen. Marijuana in no quantity should not be decriminalized. Marijuana is addictive, it causes poor academic performance and the use of marijuana is linked to gun activities and the use of guns. The Government should target the use of marijuana from the start. To lower the amount of people who are locked up for marijuana, the Government of Belize should implement prevention programs warning people of the dangers of marijuana instead of allowing those with a small amount of marijuana (10 grammes) to walk free. Belize is already facing many problems; decriminalizing marijuana will only add another.
In my personal opinion the government should pass the law of decriminalize marijuana.why? because the use of marijuana is not only a drug it is also a medicine for instance asthma, most people beliefe they use marijuana to get thier own personal satisfacetion it reliefe the pain and stress of individuals.the drug does have it's effect because it has in all types of substance.therefore, it doesn't matter if the government pass the law or not because the usage of the drug will get more stronger.
finally,the use of marijuana is an everyday living for most individuals.if more jobs are provided people will not have to sell the drug,that is a way how they put food on the table.if the government does not legalize marijuana it will still not prove a point because weather if the law pass or not people will still use thier marijuana how they want and when they want.moreover, both adults and teenegers will use marijauna to thier own capacity so really won't make a difference if the legalization process come through or not.
Your opinion no one can change, is you own personal feelings however, yes marijuana is good for asthma but they are many other side effects that you can face when you use marijuana such as cancer, it can harm your respiration system, immune system, reproductive system, adrenal hormones, growth of hormone and cognitive function. Yes I do know that the people are using marijuana already but if the decriminalization law is pass its saying to the people that they can use the drugs whenever and however they want. We need to say no to the decriminalization or not Belize will get worst. We wouldn’t want that to happen?
do agree with you khidejah Marijuana is a lousy drug but can be a great medication. The same applies to most medications. Drugs can be used for medicinal purposes and/or abused in order to alter mood and run away from life.
I don't agree with Khidejah. we should consider the effects of Marijuana not only rely on the good side of it. it should not be legalize because everybody will have the right to obtain 10 grams of marijuana. so, they will not used it as a medicine but i agree that it cure some disease so i believe it should be sold at a pharmacy and for people that really need it but i believe u need to have a doctor paper to do so..
I agree with Khidejah because decriminalization does not increase the economic opportunity for those in need, legalization can and also, marijuana has proven medical benefits for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other patients.
I strongly agree with khidejah for the legalization of marijuana.Marijuana is infact a great medication that helps many sickness. The government says that they want to decrease poverty, then why not through the use of selling marijuana. Many families have food on their table due to the selling of marijuana.
The Government of Belize should not pass the law of decriminalization of marijuana in Belize because the number of crimes will increase in Belize tremendously such as rape, robbery, violent crimes, murders and aggravated assaults. They are many names for marijuana; they are also called pot, weed, dope, herb and cannabis. Also these marijuana users may want to try heroin, ecstasy and other hard drugs and then, will the Government make those other drugs legal in Belize? If the law of decriminalization of marijuana is passed then many teenagers and adults who are not aware of the side effects will be using marijuana. They will face the many effects for using marijuana such as their respiration system, laryngitis, hoarseness, coughing, immune system, reproductive system, adrenal hormones, growth of hormones and cognitive functions. Around where I like there are a lot of boys on these back roads selling marijuana and they are also smoking it. It’s not legal as yet in Belize so imagine when the legalization law is passed what more will happen? These are signs of marijuana users’ rapid heart rate which may lead to heart attack if you have weak heart, red eyes they look like killers, appetite to eat. Yes marijuana has benefits such as controlling nausea, vomiting, advance cancer, AIDs and appetite. The doctors of Belize has many others ways to treat those effects. Marijuana is not the way to treat those effects because using marijuana will also give you side effects. If the decriminalization law of marijuana is passes persons will be smoking marijuana any where they want as long as they are 18 years and then the younger generation will grow up seeing this and will say its okay to smoke marijuana because it’s legal. Our future generation needs a change but not a change for the worse a change for a better Belize and that’s drugs free. So say no to drugs Belize and we will live a healthy life style.
i strongly agree with Marcelina. That is so true about the increasing of violence. However, the GOB will not be able to do any action against Marijuana again because violence on streets will be so high. we can see the high rate of violence here at Belize. Just imagine if GOB legalize Marijuana. Say no to Drugs.
Decriminalization is a very controversial topic in Belize. They are many good arguments both for and against decriminalization of marijuana. But most important is that all these arguments are based on facts. John Stuart Mill quotes “the only way in which a human being can make some approach to knowing the whole of any subject is by hearing what can be said about it by person of every variety of opinion and by studying all made in which it can be looked at by every character of mind. No wise man can ever acquire his wisdom in any mode but this.”
The misuse of drugs act chapter 103, the act that successfully made marijuana illegal in Belize was base on the fact that marijuana increase violent crime. Decriminalized is different from legalization is to make something legal, as in the use of marijuana decimalization reduces and reclassifies the penalties for marijuana use.( Both give power to the state)
The current states of affairs ask the question “is Belize prepared for the decriminalization of marijuana?’ I dare to concur that Belize is unprepared. For the decriminalization of marijuana. The proper policies as well as the facilities and physical resources need to be implemented (NDACC) argues that functions of drug prevention, rehab and treatment, research and informa- tion legal reform and public education. But a major concern is rehabilitation and treatment in that eventually decriminalization of marijuana will result in an escalation of both supply and demand, there currently exist no policy on how the government of Belize will regulate and control it. The obvious outcome of such escalation is that cases of addiction will rise. The country currently has only (3) government rehabilitation centers. They are only (6) outreach officers country wide consequently leaving one single person to do referrals to the rehabilitation centers and follow- up for that entire district. Doesn’t this seem terribly inadequate as is and would prove to be useless in the face of mass escalation of addiction cases whereas it can be stated that our country is not prepared tor decriminalization of marijuana.
There are many people being arrested for having marijuana in their possession every day. They are then taken to the cells in the local police station and wait to be taken to court. In court they are then tried over and over and end up either let free with minimum or with no charge at all. There are many pros and cons of decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in Belize. Legalization means that possession and use of marijuana will be allowed in Belize while decriminalization means that all laws that punish the use and possession of marijuana will be dropped. If Belize legalizes marijuana, it will allow the users of marijuana to be high when they want to and this may lead to a serious addiction. People who are addicted to drugs such as marijuana will do almost anything to get the drug when it is not readily available to them. This may lead to serious crimes committed to get money in order to get this drug. I 100% disagree with Belize’s choice of legalizing the use and possession of marijuana. Even though people might say that when people are caught with little amounts of marijuana they are arrested and locked up but most of the time get released because of lack of evidence and proof; but I strongly believe that the system would rather deal with those “pity” cases rather than the robberies, burglaries and murders that are happening due to the use of marijuana. The point of decriminalizing marijuana is mind blowing. To think that the country is considering to drop all legal punishment against the use and possession of marijuana if caught, puts the country in a state, to me, of ‘we don’t care’. Yes, marijuana may be used for medicinal purposes but you don’t see people mincing Tylenol tablets into powder and sniffing it. If the country wants to use marijuana for medicinal purposes then they should be issued with a prescription. From this, one can draw the conclusion that I strongly disagree with the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in Belize, not only because of the criminal effects but also the mental effects that it brings to one.
Shereen Webster yes marijuana is a drug but then, i don't believe that these killing and other crimes are causes of this drug, and even if the govenrment try to decriminalize marijuana, they will surely fail. Marijuana have been in the world from the beginning and there is no way of putting a stop to it now. There are families who have been getting their daily income and living off this drug to eat and provide for their love ones. If they try to put a stop to it then surely crime and violence will increase. Look on the bright side those who want to use it will still use it if the government try to stop it they will surely fail.
I agree with Shereen because the drug is really being abused. You have a good point there Shereen. This will only cause more problems in our society if this drug i legalize.
Hi Shereen, I agree with you when you say that the people who used marijuana will almost do anything to get the drugs when it is not available to them. I also agree if people want to use marijuana as medicinal purposes. T hey should have a valid prescription from a doctor. I also agree with the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize because we will live a healthier and drug free life.
I agree with you Sher. This is totally wrong marijuana should not be legalized nor decriminalized nor anything it should be banned completely from our country.
Marijuana should be legalize in Belize, most of the deaths that are happening today is not cause by the use of this drug. People who smoke marijuana most times just want to sit back and relax. Murder is topping the chart when it comes to the most deaths. The Karl Husuner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) states that “each year more than 2,000 Belizean die of alcohol-related causes; also at cancer.org it say that “smoking tobacco is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths; this equals about 443,000 early deaths each year.” So therefore marijuana is not the main cause of killing in the world today. There are limited cases in which people have been report to die from marijuana use; yet there is so much law still trying to keep this natural growing product away from society.
The people suffering from glaucoma, asthma and spasticity have been found to have benefited from the consumption of marijuana. In today’s world the use of marijuana is common, there are so much young and old people using it; some of these individual grow up on this drug and is still here without any lung cancer, so if the government Legalize it or Not the police will still have a hard time trying to stop this drug from spreading any further. Belize has a lot of farming land and therefore the government cannot finance the police to do air patrol each day over these territories. I think the government should issue a license to all the individuals who want to farm this product; then a percentage of the income should be given to the government in return. Also any person under the age of 18 who is caught using or selling this drug should be charged a fine, and places to do so much hours of community service for the country. Once again the legalization of marijuana should be passed.
i totally agree with you rodwell marihuana contains an amazing chemical, beta-caryophyllene, and scientists have thoroughly proven that it could be used to treat pain, inflammation, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis.
i believe it should be legalize, In others words it doesn't means that you should be able to walk down the street and smoke a joint as you wish. That will still be illegal, it's like alcohol, you can drink it in a bar and you can drink it under certain control circumstances. There is something called public drinking - you really ought not to be walking down the street with a beer in your hand or rum and coke and drinking it, so it's still illegal under certain circumstances or with rum and coke and drinking it. So it's still illegal under certain circumstances."
"The proposal is that it be the same circumstances with this small portion of marijuana. There is a distinction between legalization and decriminalization; legalization means that no penalty is adhered under certain circumstances, in other words if you are caught with a small quantity perhaps no penalty will be adhered to it. Legalization doesn't mean that; it means that it is still illegal, it's just like driving without a driver's license or with an expired driver's license is illegal but didn't take you to jail for doing that. What we want to do is to ensure that we can deal with the infraction responsibly, so it's not going to be illegal, it's just that the penalties for that small portion will be different from what it currently is."
The decriminalization of marijuana is an interesting topic being discussed as we speak. In my belief marijuana should be decriminalized. I believe that the Government of Belize could actually benefit from this. Belize can export marijuana to many countries that use cannabis as medicine. Doing this we will see a boost in our GDP. Nowadays even police in Belize from college students to police men are selling marijuana. So there is no way to stop the selling of weed. We could turn this into a legal system. Let seller pay for license to sell weed. And also put a tax rate on the weed because no matter what people are always going to use marijuana whether it is legalized, decriminalized or not .
i totally agree with this because they are a lot of sick people that use marijuana as healing and medicine. and it is so true about the police and the students because a lot of the college students and high school students smoke and distribute marijuana. i guess its their side hustle as they say. " you got to make the money one way or the other."
I strongly disagree with Citon. Have you ever thought about the chaos it will cause for the government of Belize to issue a license to sell weed? I don't think Belize can benefit from the exporting of marijuana because individuals in other countries can plant and grow their own they wouldn't need to import any.
You list some strong points that I hadn't even think about, I agree with you. Exporting marijuana can be very beneficial to our economy by causing economy growth.
i disagree with Citon thoughts about this controversy. legalizing this drug in Belize of all places will do a lot more harm than good to the citizens. there will be a lot more crimes and killing off of this drugs than ever in Belize. do we really need a reason for a spike in the crime and killing rate in Belize? so i disagree with this statement.
I strongly disagree that Government of Belize should not legalize or decriminalize marijuana. According to my research there are about 400 chemical compounds in an average cannabis plant. The four main compounds are called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), cannabidiol, delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol. Apart from cannabidiol (CBD), these compounds are psychoactive, the strongest one being delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The stronger varieties of the plant contain little cannabidiol (CBD), whilst the delta-9-THC content is a lot higher.
We as must consider the effect of marijuana in long terms and short terms as well. The chemicals mention above are the one that makes the most effects in your body. These chemical give you the high as well as the buzz as we Belizean called it. Including, it bring mental effect to the consumer. We must consider the high rate of violence that happen in Belize as every day passed by. What would happen if the GOB legalizes Marijuana? What will happen to our students? This legalization of marijuana should not happen because everybody will be exposed to it. However street gangs will fight each other because they will want to sell Marijuana on streets. In addition, the rate of violence on street will rise up instantly letting our beautiful Belize more dangerous.
I definitely disagree for the Barrow Administration to legalize marijuana in Belize. Many say that it is a medicine, maybe it is. But we must also look at the fact that it also has many harmful elements in it. Marijuana is like sheep in wolf’s clothing, giving people a good feeling for the moment, but making them foolish. I have never taking any marijuana, but I live and see the effects that it does to a person. I give marijuana the front seat for the many crime and violence that is taking over our country. Marijuana damages the brain, causing the smoker to not see for themselves that they are killing their brain cells, causing them to not be motivated to doing anything good for themselves. I have a nephew who was introduced to marijuana, from then on he has stopped school, and is just hanging out, drinking and smoking his life away, and after getting his high, he would come home and eat out the kitchen, but don’t want to work. Tell me what good has marijuana done to him? According to researches, like Jacques- Joseph Moreau, marijuana has harmful effects causing harmful functions to the central nervous system and hinders the memory and movement of the user’s brain. It is also found out marijuana smoke is 3 times more harmful than tobacco smoke. Marijuana should be decriminalized. Our country is in a lot of trouble already. Imagine what it will be with the poison being given free to our children. As a teacher I have seeing many students, especially boys, who see and are influenced by marijuana, who are not as focused as others who come from a well discipline home. I see many of those boys now hanging out on the streets, causing trouble at home and to society. So please, don’t legalize it, instead get stricker towards its use.
I dont see the big issue about marijuana being legalized. There are many other things like cigarrette and alcohol. So why don't the government make alcohol illegal if they so much care about the people. Marijuana is something that should be left as a personal choice, if you want to smoke it thats your business.Having it illegal or legalized doesnt make a difference people will still smoke it if they want to, not even the authorities have stopped them as yet so...? People claim that marijuana is effective at relieving nausea and vomiting, especially caused by chemotherapy used to treat cancer, it can also relieve muscle spasm that is sometimes associated with multiple sclerosis and paralysis. Marijuana can help treat apetite loss associated with thos persons who have HIV/AIDS or certain types of cancer etc. Studies also claim that it is safer than most other prescribed medications to treat the same symptoms I mentioned above. They say smoking marijuana alone without the use of tobacco does not increase the risk of lung disease.Never the less how true all of this is I don't know because even if its legal or not I won't consume it. It's a drug no matter how relieving it is, so its all up to the individual choice. I believe the government should legalize it because having it illegal it just makes it more expensive, people will still continue using it whether or not the government likes it.And in legalizing marijuana the government will stop justifying the billions of dollars spent to enforce the laws against marijuana.
Now when it comes to decriminalizing Marijuuan I stick to the same point leave it to the individuals choice. Let them destroy their life if they want to. That just prooves that they have no ambitions in life. I believe government should decriminalize it and help the country because it will be very helpful economically.Reduction of income earned by organized crime, reduction of subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs,if people claim that it produces positive health effect on certain illnesses well let them use it.Reduction in prison of over crowded persons.Fully decriminalizing Cannabis can largely decrease financial gains earned by gangs in black market cannabis sales and trafficking.all this would benefit the country a lot if only the government would stop thinking of his own pocket. So legalize and Decriminalize Marijuana, every act, every consequence is left to the individuals choice.
i agree that people have a right to smoke what they want does'n t matter if it marijuana and i just think the the government should legalize it and done.
The Sanpedrosun press release defines decriminalization as 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.
As a student I strongly disapprove of the proposal to decriminalize marijuana because this will now allow the human population that consume these things to take advantages of it. In addition, the students who do these things will feel like it is okay to take drugs to school and do what they have to do. To know that there isn't imprisonment for the given amount (10 grams), people will always want to have it on them. In consuming marijuana at a young age as well, it will affect their learning ability. It also has a negative impact on the body, whether it destroys the brains, lungs or heart which may lead to cancer, or heart failure. Moreover, the crime rate, this is especially a major problem in Belize because every time someone is dying. Now if this is legalized people would want to kill for what they can gain from the weed plantation. With risk of marijuana usage the death rate will raise while the birth rate will fall, which may affect the world because then you will not have sufficient people to help build the nation. I would recommend that the Government consider what they are doing. Questions like: What about the future? Is it safe for them? What about the present generation, how will they benefit in learning? And is it for my own self gain?
i totally agree with chinyere in the fact that i don't think the law of marijuana smokers will not be charged if 10 grams of marijuana is on them. this just give them an advantage and makes them feel like its ok for them to do what they want.
I definitely disagree for the Barrow Administration to legalize marijuana in Belize. Many say that it is a medicine, maybe it is. But we must also look at the fact that it also has many harmful elements in it. Marijuana is like sheep in wolf’s clothing, giving people a good feeling for the moment, but making them foolish. I have never taking any marijuana, but I live and see the effects that it does to a person. I give marijuana the front seat for the many crime and violence that is taking over our country. Marijuana damages the brain, causing the smoker to not see for themselves that they are killing their brain cells, causing them to not be motivated to doing anything good for themselves. I have a nephew who was introduced to marijuana, from then on he has stopped school, and is just hanging out, drinking and smoking his life away, and after getting his high, he would come home and eat out the kitchen, but don’t want to work. Tell me what good has marijuana done to him? According to researches, like Jacques- Joseph Moreau, marijuana has harmful effects causing harmful functions to the central nervous system and hinders the memory and movement of the user’s brain. It is also found out marijuana smoke is 3 times more harmful than tobacco smoke. Marijuana should be decriminalized. Our country is in a lot of trouble already. Imagine what it will be with the poison being given free to our children. As a teacher I have seeing many students, especially boys, who see and are influenced by marijuana, who are not as focused as others who come from a well discipline home. I see many of those boys now hanging out on the streets, causing trouble at home and to society. So please, don’t legalize it, instead get stricker towards its use.
I totally agree on what you just explain to us. Marijuana should not be llegalized. Comsumers have negative effects on their lives, and once they take it they become addicted. I know various people that take marijuana as a habbit. I see them all day, everyday consuming and selling it to people. However, what my opinion is that the Government should penalized those people that sells marijuana.
I support you Ms. Miriam with that statement.It should not be Legalize at all.. Like what you mention is a perfect example, would we want the same thing happen to so many other younger Belizean children if this law would be approved.Being addicted to this drugs would not in most cases have a set future for any individual. We must put a stop to this now; by not agreeing with the legalization of marijuana.We must instill in our mind to uplift society by doing the right thing, and motivating the younger generation, for they are the ones who has the future in there hands. The one who would turn out being Lawyers, ministers, and even famous philosophers.how could we possibly see a brighter future with Marijuana Legalization.
Marijuana is a terrible factor that not only affects the country of Belize but all around the world. This factor change people who use this drugs life and the lives of others. Marijuana not only changes their live but also influences them to take the lives of others. In my society today marijuana is a very common case. Marijuana smokers cannot be stopped from smoking the drugs. Marijuana cannot be only band from entering the country because it is our country that I growing, producing and distributing this drug. Now, the Government of Belize is passing on a law that it is now ok for a person to be caught with a stick of weed on them. Now, that law is totally bogus. The Government of Belize really need to open their eye now because that law is really out of order. Passing on that law to me states that if its ok to have a stick of weed on you well its ok to kill, its ok to rape, and its ok to steal. I to a fact know that the marijuana smoker were so happy when they heard about that. Come on people. Do you really think its ok for them have weed on them? If you thinks so well in my opinion you also it ok for them to continue committing crime.
Shantea Grant i 100% agree with you and it shows that you really care about our country Belize. yes its a fact that smokers are happy about this because to their point its ok for them because they dont have any thing to think about and could even go to the extreem in stating that they dont have anything to live for since they are drug addicts. We dont want to see our children walking with drugs right or worst smoking it because we want a good future for every civilians in our country. I also agree that passing this law would be raising the crime rate, rape rate and all violence aspects.It shows that you care about the future of the country.
The government of Belize shouldn't pass a law to decriminalize marijuana. People will abuse the law in whatever ways they could. Although it is just decriminalizing and not legalizing persons will smoke in plain view in public not concerned who is watching them. What law do we need to understand and know that legalizing marijuana is going to cause chaos and destruction in our little Belize. Come on people we need to realize what is going to happen in the future of our country if such laws are passed. Even though it can be beneficial to some people medical wise, it is misused by others in different ways.
Marijuana will have a negative effect on the younger generation equally so with the present generation due to the fact that it will come across to them as a habit for them to do drugs. It will cause a big fuss with the sellers of marijuana. This will cause a lot of crimes because people will become needier in the aspect of money to buy drugs so they would do whatever it takes.
I strongly disagree with the legalization of marijuana. Even though marijuana is a drug that can be used as a medication to ease pain and help to eliminate symptoms of cruel diseases, it can also be as harmful to the body if it is overused. When marijuana overused it can be very damaging to the brain and its functions. As a result of this, the brain is not able to function as it should, because the brain cells (neuron) are being harmed and hence the reason why the brain cannot function properly. Note that the main functions of neuron cells are to carry signals throughout the body. And if the brain cannot function this is exactly what leads to undesirable behaviors. Cannabinoids are the most psychoactive chemical in marijuana that has the biggest impact on the brain is known as tetrahydrocannibol, or THC. Some effects just after consuming marijuana are: increased heart rate, problems with memory, unclear perception (sights, sounds, time, touch), and trouble with thinking and problem solving. This is why I strongly disagree with the legalization of marijuana. We already have out of control people (murders) within our society that the officers are struggling to find, catch and handle. So if marijuana is legalized there will be more out of control people that will harm the society, influencing younger kids negatively. Then instead of the officers trying to catch (murders) they will be focusing on catching weed smokers. If marijuana is not legalized the officers would not have to worry about catching them but instead focus on improving our society and placing murders in prison. Marijuana really has a major effect on the way we behave, think, talk and see. This is therefore the reason why weed smokers act how they act and cause crime and violence in the society. They just cannot think straight!
i must agree with my friend franzia's thoughts about this situation. because the main negative reason for marijuana is the effects it has on the brain and that is the reason why people cannot think straight. all it does is mess up your brain just because you want to feel a high doesn't mean you have to kill yourself for it though.
I totally agree with you Franzia, your so right. Without order, or stability in our country damage will be made to society. Its like were asking for more and we cant even handle what we have in front of us. Our country is already in chaos with what has been taking place since this year began.By holding back the legalization of marijuana it help at some point to minimize conflicts that might arise if this law would be legal.
I Disagree with you Franzia. Your points are valuable but you are being Bias. you are focusing on the damage that marijuana makes to our society. Believe me, the legalization or to keep this drug illegal will change nothing on the availability of it. Even though this drug is illegal it is easy to access. In the other hand you are focusing on the negative effects that marijuana can make to our society. Aren;t you being Bias? Yes you are because you say that marijuana will cause many harm to others. So that means that Alcohol should be illegal too. Alcohol causes more deaths in Belize than any other drug. If we go back to statistics and research, has any death been reported because of the use of marijuana? Most certainly no. Therefore if we can consume Alcohol without any limitations, so why do we band marijuana which is less harmful to the society? In the other hand, the decriminalization of marijuana will lessen crime. Lets not be Bias. Consistency... if we band a less harmful drug, lets band All harmful drugs.
I totally agree with you Franzia Malic. The Government should not decriminalize marijuana. Our country already has a lot of social issue and by decriminalizing marijuana this will not help in any way but rather worsen the situation
The Government of Belize should past laws to decriminalize marijuana. Firstly, marijuana is a drug. It is made from the drying of the blossoms of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. It can be used for treating certain medical conditions, mainly pain relief. Some examples are: It decreases nausea, especially for those undergoing chemotherapy treatment, it reduces pressure on eyeballs for people with Glaucoma and also it is an appetite booster. Marijuana does have its negative effects, like other drug. Have you ever picked up a bottle of pills and didn’t see it have the side effects written on it? Or am sure you have seen several medication commercials where by the side effects are listed at the end. Therefore, just like any other drug, marijuana has its negativeness. They all do, but are they all decriminalized? No. So why is marijuana being treated differently from any other medical drug? If the Government of Belize is so worried about our health then speaking theoretically, all alcohol should be illegal and cigarettes too, because they can be bad for our health if it is abused. The decriminalization of Marijuana would cause street crimes derived from drug disputes to be reduced.
i believe that Belize should not pass the laws on legalizing marijuana in Belize. although it may be good at some aspects in Belize like every good thing in the world there is a bad side to it. marijuana can seriously hurt Belize's economy because there will be more people out on the streets high as the sky and doing more trouble than before in their right sense of mind. it also damages the body more than does good to it. especially your brain, it corrupts your thinking power after while if you abuse the use of it it kills the brain cells in your body. In fact, the marijuana of today is stronger than ever before. Drug and alcohol use can lead to many negative consequences, including bad grades, broken friendships, family problems, trouble with the law, etc. Most important, teens' brains and bodies are still developing, and substance use can interfere with their emerging independence and efforts to establish their own identity. Drug and alcohol use can change the direction of a young person's life – physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. It can weaken the ability to concentrate and retain information during a teen's peak learning years, and impair judgment leading to risky decision making that could involve sex or getting into a car with someone under the influence of drugs so therefore i disagree with legalizing marijuana in Belize.
Hi Tyler, I strongly agree with you when you say that the Government of Belize should not allow the decriminalization of marijuana in our beautiful country because this will lead to more crime and violence. Also marijuana use can affect growth, hormones and reproductive organs. Marijuana users may lose the trust and respect of their family and friends. Drug free is the way to be!
I do agree with you Tyler that the Government of Belize should not pass a law to legalize marijuana. Everything has its good and bad sides. In my honest opinion I believe that they are more bad than good to legalizing marijuana. It will seriously affect Belize’s economy in a bad way. On every corner people will be smoking Marijuana without care since it is legal. The smoking affects the individual, others around and the wider picture is that it will affect the ozone lawyer. Smoking marijuana has lots of negative consequences, it may not affect a person directly but trust me it does affect others.
I will strongly disagree with you all, since you are focusing in the financial status and damage drugs can do to our beautiful country. You mention that marijuana can harm our economy? Do you have any argument what so ever to back up your point? Since this is a controversial topic we must argue with facts to support our points. therefore, how can marijuana affect our economy negatively? I oppose strongly to your points. I do believe from research, economist state that if marijuana is decriminalized and moderated then the use of it will be as any ordinary produce, thus taxation will come into play! economist state that a great boost to our economy will come from taxing marijuana! you say, Drug free is the way to go, I'll leave you with this thought.. Alcohol is a drug also, So if drug Free is the way to go, why don't we all be consistent and make a movement to make alcohol an illegal substance??
Tyler, i can agree with you to some extent, but teenagers will do what they want. lets be realistic here,we see many teenagers drinking alcohol and smoking weed (marijuana). Even though this drug is illegal, teenagers still find a way to get it in their hands. so i think that the Government should decriminalize it. it minimizes the amount of trouble that teens can get into and not only teens but young adults.
Well Tyler, it's decriminalization of marijuana. And when d law is passed ofcourse they will not allow anyone under the age of 18 to use d drug. And even it they don't decrmininalize it people will still use it as they are doing so know that won't change anything nor stop anyone. AndI really don't believe it does much damage to the body because it's from the eaeth and it's a herbm
The consideration of the Government of Belize to decriminalize the possession of 10 grams and less of marijuana seems to strive in both the good and bad path of Belizean citizens’ minds. It personally think that it would be for greater bad than good. According to the commissioner of police, 60% of criminals arrested are found with the presence of marijuana in their systems and this is because majority of those arrested are for small amounts of marijuana in their possession and then after charged and sentenced to time in prison. This causes the prison to be packed with convicts and its capacity has long been exceeded which causes a struggle in the maintenance cost of the facilities and occupants as John Woods stated in his interview on the Dicky Bradley show. This fact emerges to be one of the reasons for the decriminalization. These are facts but those not mean it should be done for they utilize these drugs for income and for pleasure which inflicts damages to the brain and stimulates aggressive of unconscious behaviour. Marijuana is also used as a medicine to ease pain or to keep a person calm when prescribed. If not prescribed it should not be used especially if not used properly as is done by most abusers. It is mostly rolled in a tobacco leaf. Tobacco is what is used in cigarettes but is processed first. This raw form is poisonous to the body and damages your alveolus in the lungs which is needed for effective respiration to occur. These abusers over use the drug/natural herb and negatively affect their body. Weed is good for some things but as the creole saying goes “too much of one thing isn’t good for you” It is illegal and should stay illegal but a prescription process should be developed in Belize is needed.
“I’ve got better things to do than mess up my life with drugs” With the crime rate being so high in our beautiful country Belize, I believe that the Government of Belize should not pass the law to decriminalized marijuana in our beautiful country because if the Government of Belize passes this law and allow people to use marijuana this is like saying it is okay to go ahead committing all these sense less murders and nothing will happen to you. We should take into consideration the many effect one can face when using marijuana such as the slowing down of brain activities, affecting memory, speaking, reasoning, and reaction. Marijuana affects growth, hormones and reproductive organs. It can affect the heart within a few minutes after smoking it, the heart begins beating more rapidly and blood pressure drops. Heavy use of marijuana lowers men’s testosterone levels as well as upset a woman’s menstrual cycle. Also when high doses of marijuana is used, usually when eaten in food rather than smoke, users can experience the following symptoms: hallucinations, delusions, impaired memory and disorientation. “I’ve got better things to do than mess up my life with drugs”. This is indeed true, because you can spend time reading an inspirational book or have a talk with a counsellor about marijuana. I strongly believe that it is up to you to stop the use of marijuana. You can say something like” I said I didn’t want to. Please stop pressuring me” and walk away. Finally, the decriminalization of marijuana should not be enforced because; we will live a happy, healthier and drug free life. If we don’t use marijuana we will not have to worry about our brains being affected, people will have respect, care and love for us, we will remember stuff and of course, drug free is the way to be!
hi Sebastian, I totally agree with you that the Government of Belize should not pas the law to decriminalize Marijuana. I also believe that if the law is passed the crime rate will be greater. good points
The Barrow administration should not legalize the use of marijuana in Belize. Although thy can be used as medicinal purposes, the effects and destruction it would cause is far much grater to deal with. Based on Research the active ingredient in marijuana is THC. Which stand for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.THC is rapidly absorbed after smoking, within minutes, THC and the other substances in marijuana smoke cause short-term medical effect. These effects are reduced after three or four hours. However, marijuana hangs around in your system for as long as a month after smoking. The lingering effects mean you're impaired for several days to weeks after the high wears off. Major factor when smoking Marijuana is that your heart increases at a rate by 20-100 percent. It lasts up can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmia's. This risk may be greater in aging populations or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities. Because many people don’t seems to have an instant effect they tend to always want to smoke this drug. this then becomes a habit always wanting more, so many families would be unfed, so much younger children will be parking. More important the crime rate, and violence rate is already high. You hear a lot of people saying that when someone smokes they don’t tend to do any crime, your clam. But come on people look on the brighter side most Belizean's will definitely drink, and smoke together. You could imagine the amount of social issues that would arise if this drug would become Legal. Yes, alcohol and tobacco are legal but are worse in every sense. That is not something that would be fear to use as an alibi to make a point. We should be working forward to building a better nation not to ripe it apart. Think of it, so much more damage would be made to society if this takes place. Edrei Alvarado
Many people go to jail for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. They spends days or even weeks in a cell just for that reason, will killers and robbers are still out there free, and committing crimes over and over. By the decriminalization of marijuana all that will happen is that if you are found with a small amount nothing will happen, no charges. I don’t think it is necessary to go through this. Instead of paying attention to minor problems like this they should be trying to stop drug traffickers and those who sell in large amounts, making a living by breaking laws! If they decriminalize marijuana what will happen? People will feel free to consume it on the streets, on buses, and in every public area. This could cause so many problems. We already have situations of children taking marijuana to schools, so if it decriminalized what will happen? They would do it often. These are all the things that need to be considered when this idea came up. Our youths and even kids are involved. Leave the law as is. No change should be made. If they are so eager to change and improve laws try the other ones, those really have room for improvement.
i agree with you Linda Moore because lots of major things is happening in Belize what their are not paying attention but their are paying attention on minor things like drug. They can stop people if they want to take the drug because their are not harming nobody else there are harming their ownself.
Thats true Linda other criminal activity are taking place out there and the government over looks that they rather sit and send some to jail for an ounce of marijuana than a killer who they know is gulity.
The Government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana because it is a mind altering drug. The main active ingredient of marijuana is THC (tetrhydocannabinol). It is very pitiful to see Belizean citizens, especially friends and young healthy people consuming this herb. Users consume marijuana because it makes them feel happy and relaxed but they ignore the fact that it is harmful to their health. It is proven that users may experience euphoria, hallucinations and paranoia moreover it also causes loss of coordination and rapid heart rate which may cause a heart attack. A research conducted at The Harvard University by William J. Cromie proved that after someone consumes marijuana the risk of a heart attack rises five times.
The Government of Belize is, in my opinion, not doing something good for Belize by decriminalizing Marijuana. Belize is a small country and we have many crimes presently happening. I believe that if marijuana is decriminalized or legalized it will cause more accidents, crime as well as more violence and gangs. Many people argue that it has medical benefits so it should be legalized but I think that science is very advanced now a days so many medicines can be used instead of marijuana.
The Government of Belize and the Barrow Administration should not past the laws to decriminalized marijuana because it will affect our country as whole. As we know, marijuana has medical benefits. Even so, it should not be legalized because everyone in general will be intaking the drug which affects the nerve cells of the brain. Marijuana is the most consumed drug in Belize and other parts of the world. Marijuana makes a driver incoherent when driving and accidents are most likely to occur. Although, there may be a number of drug dealers, if it is legalized they will run out of business because most than likely everyone is going to consume marijuana and they will plant it theirselves, so drug dealers will have a loss. The overall picture is that it damages our health and would lead to more killing in our society. If it was legalized our same Government officials would be out in the public smoking marijuana. However to my point of view, I am against the decriminalizing of Marijuana.
I strongly agree with you Claudia becuase the legalization would just mess up our country progression. you are right when you state that people will plant marijuana and nothing would be wrong simple because it wouldnt be an legal drug. I also like your idea about high officials would be smoking on street and could add in their office and we dont want that.And yes together we stand on NO to legalization of marijuana because as good future citizen of our lovely country Belize we do care on everything that has to do with our Belize.
The decriminalization of marijuana has become a very notorious matter in Belizean Politics and economy presently. The Belizean government has moved on from legalization of this drug to the decriminalization of marijuana. There are very valuable points to dispute for and against the decriminalization of marijuana but everything argued must be based on true data and facts. In my analysis, I prop up to the movement to decriminalize marijuana since the advantages to it are more valuable. One of the utmost arguments for the cons to the decriminalization of marijuana is that it will be grounds to much more deaths and impairment to others. When used in moderation, marijuana is less injurious and detrimental than legal drugs, such as tobacco or alcohol. Drugs like alcohol have no law against it and it can be consumed at any rate but yet it adds to one of the foremost causes of deaths here in Belize. The intention is to not legalize it to free consumption but to have a restraint of its use; therefore it will be less harmful and threat to other’s life. If we focus on the economy, crime and health, this would also have a affirmative impact to the Belizean society in these two sectors. If we allow the modest consumption of this drug, it would condense the price value of this substance therefore crime like theft (which is one of the uppermost crime committed in Belize) will decrease because of the accessibility. Some may ask, how will this positively impact our financial system? Economists argue that the taxing this product will undoubtedly boost the amount of proceeds for the country. Also, many ignorant to this issue may argue that because marijuana is a drug, it is injurious to our health. Just to point out, there has been no case reported on a person dying because of consumption of marijuana. In the other hand this substance helps persons fight against terminal illnesses like cancer. Therefore I fully sustain the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize since it will be on limited use. The committee to look into proposals for the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize has also proposed to have an educational usage of this substance. We can see that the usage of this substance will be moderated by the limitation of usage and an educational background to it. These all will indeed will make a positive impact to our country in a whole
Decriminalization of marijuana is basically users no longer face jail time (nor in most cases, arrest or criminal records) for the possession or use of small amounts of marijuana. Marijuana could be used in 25,000 different items. Some people are suffering from asthma and spasticity have been found to have benefited from the consumption of marijuana, Decriminalizing the drug would help the government to save by cutting down on money spend to fight drug war. I have seen the benefits of marijuana but not by smoking it, so let’s start teaching the proper way to consume this drug, either b boiling it or cooking it in food. Simple things like putting weed in your alcohol help you with joint pain. So you go to jail if you are found with weed in your alcohol? Is shouldn’t be like that. It not only helps with that but with other sickness as well. So I agree with the decriminalization of marijuana due to the fact that it is not only a drug but a contributing factor of like.
I strongly agree with you Jermaine. Instead of trying to change the law i think that the Government should try and come up with ways to show the public how to use marijuana as a medicine or as a better herb. Because this drug is very powerful and regardless of decriminalizing or legalizing it, Belizeans will use it if they want to.
I strongly disagree that the legalization of marijuana should be legalized simply because their much more cons than pros and in no way will benefit our beloved country Belize since it is a fact that our country Belize is already in crises especially with the way the country has and being governed. As said that marijuana is a drug that comes from dried flowers and leaves of hem plant can hints us that will kill our entire country since according to present users anytime someone use marijuana that person will want more and more each time just to obtain the desire effect. Just imagine if marijuana is being legalize what would happen to our future generation or even now to our youths, kids would eventually use this drug for pleasure and become an addict to this drug that would at the end result in what? More burglary, killing, raping, overdose etc. Why would they be addicted is simple because that marijuana contains delta-9 tetra-hydro-cannabinol or THC that affects the human brain, heart, lungs and even pregnant women would cause children to born deformed. I will also agree that the drugs is helping our civilians that are being diagnosed with some type sickness but again people will take the drug for satisfaction and not for medication which would then be understandable but come on not for desire effects. This drug will for a fact make our country progression to decrease. The government of Belize should not legalize this drug in any type of quantity at all, look at other advanced country that has legalized marijuana they are having huge problems to now control this drug so why then make our country go through this? No sense at all. We wouldn’t want doctor, lawyers, architects, engineers etc are a drug addict cause then what will our country look like? Just imagine a doctor having the drug effect while dealing with patient at a clinic or hospital will for sure end up to a serious disaster. I can conclude by stating I strongly disagree on the legalization of marijuana in any amount in Belize and that the barrows administration should make a country wide voting to see the societies point of views and not within their selves.
Very true Mateo, legalization of Cannabis Sativa would indeed be very detrimental to our young society. This is a drug and drugs do make people become addicts. Decriminalizing such drug would have a great negative effect especially on our younger population who are the ones most at risk. Those countries which have legalized this drug cannot prove that it has helped their country. In fact it has caused greater harm. The Netherlands for example, have legalized this drug and are faced with a great problem when it comes to the clandestine producers who are producing this drug in different flavors, and strengths. California, a state in the U.S has legalized the drug and its production has drastically increased and has surpassed the production of corn and potatoes. All in all decriminalization of mariguana is detrimental to our country.
I strongly disagree with your point of view. You stated that there are more cons than pros but as far as I am concern marijuana has very little cons. There is very little evidence that smoking marijuana as a means of taking it represents a significant health risk furthermore marijuana does not cause an individual to commit crimes such as burglary, killing, raping and overdosing and I a positively sure that if the government were to make a country wide voting to see the societies point of view, many will agree with legalizing marijuana.
Marijuana better known as cannabis and weed is a green/brown mix of flowers, stems, and leaves of the plant Cannabis. And there is a stronger form of marijuana called hashish (hash) looks like brown or black cakes or balls. There are many street names for marijuana includes pot, herb, weed, dope, and ganja. Marijuana is no more harmful to a person’s health than alcohol or tobacco, which is both legal and widely used, and regulated by the Administration Officials. Marijuana has proven medical benefits for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other patients. And on the other hand it cause difficulty in thinking and problem solving Problems with memory and learning Loss of coordination and Distorted perception. Farther causing Changes in the brain. Stress, Fertility implications, Respiratory problems, Changes in blood pressure and Emotional problems
Decriminalization of marijuana then means that a specific activity such as the possession of a small amount of marijuana would be removed from the criminal courts, but would still be against the law. With decriminalization of marijuana the user would be accused differently and an alternative penalty well be put in place, such as a fine, would be the consequence. But I could care less if marijuana become decriminalize in Belize’s. But I wouldn’t support that marijuana should be decriminalize, it’s already damaging our society and community beyond what we can imagine. If we can’t control the outcome of alcohol and cigarette on mankind how will we controlled marijuana. Even thou if Marijuana would decriminalize it will only cause youths to take bigger risk holding much more amount of cannabis in their possession. “if you give me a inch, I would took a yard”…
Personally I don't think that GOB should Decriminalize Marijuana - If this drug is decriminalized, there would be a lot of negative effects on the person and the country. Firstly, the smoking of this drug may lead to habit forming and it also develops dependence on the drug. The more it's smoked, the higher the probability of the body getting used to the "high". In my opinion, this can lead to the person seeking a "harder" drug to achieve the same high. Secondly, the smoking of this drug would increase medical care. Smoking 3 - 4 joints a day has been found to be associated with the same degree of damage to the lung tissue as 20 or more cigarettes per day. In adolescence, it has been found that the persistent use before age 18 causes lasting harm to intelligence, attention, and memory. Even if the individual decides to quit consuming this drug, it won't reverse any damages already caused to the brain. Lastly, the smoking of this drug not only affects the individual consuming marijuana, but also others around them. It has been proven that second hand smoking is more harmful than the actual smoking.
Decimalization of marijuana in my view I think the government need to legalize it because marijuana does not harm anyone, in many countries marijuana is used as medicine for asthmatic people. I think that marijuana is much safer than alcohol because when you smoke a marijuana u get calm and high but when you drink alcohol you get drunk and started to act wild and do stupid stuff that you will regret the next day. Marijuana does not make you feel bad the next day like what drinking do to you, drinking make you vomit and also make your head and belly feel bad.They are a lot of marijuana sellers allover our city and I have seen what they have establish from selling this plant and it is a great profit for you if you know what you are doing. Why can’t the government give licensefor selling the plant just like how they had givenlicense for alcohol which causes many of the problems and accident in our beloved Belize. The society is making a big deal over marijuana when they are bigger issue to debate on. Marijuana has never kill or affected people kind of negative way; instead it has help people to reduce the risk of getting infected by any virus or disease. Many people have dislike and hated marijuana for their very own reasons,I think that marijuana is just a plant that you just roll up and smoke. Some people that smoke weed had told me that you get a nice feeling after you have smoke marijuana and it also calm the mind. So I therefore conclude by saying that we should just legalize marijuana and done because it has no negative effect on you if you smoke it.
The Government of Belize should NOT pass the law to decriminalize marijuana.If they decriminalize it, it will be beneficial to individuals who only have a record for just having marijuana in their possession. It can affect whether a person can get a job or not. But they should not decriminalize it because people will take advantage of the fact that they can now use the drug and it can then cause chaos in society.
There is a difference between legalizing and decriminalizing of this drug. Legalizing it is making it legal and acceptable in the country and decriminalizing is minimizing the amount that one can have in their possession. The Government of Belize does not want to make it acceptable but to just minimize the amount that people can have in their possession.But what sense does that make? Becuase people will use the drug regardless; some for medicinal reasons others for satisfaction. The Governemnt should instead come up with ways to use the drug in a better way like boiling it or mixing in it food. Because smoking the drug is harmful.
The Government of Belize should decriminalization marijuana it is a drug that is used not only to relax the mind but also for medical purposes that can be very beneficial to people who need pain relief. This drug is used to reduce vomiting, nausea and several other illness. It is mainly prescribed to cancer patients that undergo severe pain. Marijuana, which is commonly known as weed in Belize, is proven to be harmless to the body, and have never been the cause of anyone's death. People claim that it gives a feeling of "high", relaxation and calmness to the body, and that is why they engage in using the drug. In my opinion, it is just as if drinking a bottle of alcohol. Every drug has their flaws. And like cigarettes and pipes, marijuana can be harmful to the body, the lungs more so. But this isn't something that is strange or new to our society. It has been sneaking around in people's pockets for years now. If marijuana is decriminalized, it can then be sold, and if it is sold our economy will profit. It can even be exported to other countries. I think that this move towards decriminalization of the drug marijuana will cause less crimes in the streets of our country. In conclusion, Marijuana is used for good purposes. It should be decriminalized at least.
Sir I fail to agree with your comments. Margiuana can be used as a medicine indeed. There is totally no problem with this. The individuals who use it for healing are those that are ill, they have no other choice. If they use it, they do so because of a necessity and they do so in the confines of their homes. They probably have been doing so for many years and no one messes with them because they mess with no one. On the other hand, there is no reason to have a drug which can be very mind eating and destroying especially to our youths. See, when someone becomes addicted to a drug and has no means to sustain this drug then a problem arises. The addict then turns to violence and crime. This is the problem, look at the crime statistics in Belize, we have a society that is crumbling, hear your news, look at your environment, your neighborhood. If Mariguana is decriminalized, there is no way that our economy can profit. Decriminalization would create an inflow of clandestine producers who have technology at their forefront. They will be able to produce a drug that is more powerful, flavorful and more addictive just to capture a great market share. You will find that many people will be getting into this business, the drug lords will invest in these individuals and hell will break loose. Look at Mexico, they have the meanest drug cartels, Ciudad Juarez is considered the death capital of the world, mind you they are our neighbors and this is the exact way they started. Just some food for taught my friend.
Marijuana is against the law and its a duty of a citizen to obey it. The Government of Belize will decriminalize it because its reasonable,sensible and the right thing to do. Its going to create a chaos for the users most importantly. The proposal is to make marijuana use a lesser offense than a crime punishable by a jail term. I am against any drug which changes people behavior. If the objective is to discourage its use there is a better way to do it than putting users in jail.
Decriminalization does not increase the economic opportunity for those in need, legalization can. It is therefore my position that Marijuana should not be decriminalized but legalized. Decriminalization means that a specific activity (such as the possession of a small amount of marijuana) would be removed from the scope of the criminal courts, but would still be against the law. With decriminalization, the user would be prosecuted differently and an “alternative penalty”, such as a fine, would be the consequence. Legalization would involve the removal of legal penalties, although regulations and rules about production and distribution could still be developed and put into effect. The Government of Belize has spent millions imprisoning its own citizens based on mistaken racist and corrupt laws it adopted from another country. Unless new acceptable, factual presentations are made for why an individual needs to be punished for consuming this plant, the harassment of cannabis consumers and producers needs to be stopped immediately. Primary reasons in support of legalizing marijuana includes prohibition of marijuana is unwarranted government interruption into individual freedom of choice, marijuana has proven medical benefits for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other patients, crime and violence are greatly increased due to illegal selling and buying of marijuana. Legalization would logically end the need for such criminal behaviour; drug busts of youth for marijuana offenses often carry harsh penalties that can cause undue social harm with lifelong consequences.
in full support of your opinion Ms. Popper, GOB should completely legalize it, and impose taxes instead of having people doing the illegal distribution.
I support your opinion Nyell, because studies have found marijuna use to be beneficial in treating mutliple sclerosis,Torette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive dis order,brachialplexus neuropathies, insomnia,memory disorders,anxiety disorders and many more conditions. Most notably, the plant posesses a significant painkilling effect as well as noticeable inprovements in sleep.
In my opinion the decriminalization of marijuana will not have any positive impact on our country. The crime and violence level in Belize is already off. Thus, this will worsen the countries social issues. By legalizing marijuana this will open gate for people to do other/more illegal activities. It causes short term and long term health problems. Long term health problems such as lung cancer, bronchitis, increases the risk of heart attack, cancer of the head or neck, it suppresses the production of hormones that help regulate the reproductive system both in men and women and it affects the mental health. Some short term health problems marijuana causes; increases the heart rate in normal people and worsens heart rate in with heart disease or high blood pressure and increased susceptibility to infections. Why should the Gov. legalize marijuana, when he should want his country's population to be physically well? Not to mention the bad effect that it will have on our up coming youths as they receive the bad influence. The availability of the drug will also expand. Hence the reason it should not be decriminalized.
The decriminalization of marijuana should not be passed. instead it should be legalized completely. it can be beneficial in many ways. if we look at the state of our economy, we can see that as a nation we are not doing well. A good way to boost our financial state, would be to legalize the marijuana, and impose business tax to vendors, and GST to consumers. Research has proven that if Marijuana is boiled as a tea, it can be of great benefit. also it has compounds that are known to enhance the thinking capabilities of the human mind. yes it is a drug if used improperly, but so is the "fried chicken' you purchase from the chinese fast food venues. has one ever taken into consideration the ingredients used? one neuro toxin used as a flavor enhancing additive is MSG or Mono Sodio Glutinate. it is a very cancerous powder mixed in the flour used to deep fry. so why decriminalize marijuana when it can be completely legalized to help the economy?
Marijuana also known as cannabis, chronic, herb, weed, pot, mary jane and ganja is a flowering plant. In Belize at least half of the population uses marijuana. The plant is sometimes smoked for its intoxicating effect or used for medicinal purposes. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day. With this been said the Barrow administration should decriminalize marijuana. It is proven that no individual has ever died from the usage of marijuana. If cigarette and alcohol are legalized which are two of the biggest killers on the planet today. Why not marijuana?
The legalization of marijuana could influence the economy in a positive manner. Since many people smoke or use marijuana, the government should place tax on every amount of marijuana being sold, instead of the marijuana users and distributors being locked up in prison, living on “we” the tax payers money, this means that individuals who distribute or sell marijuana can open their business and the administration will charge them business tax therefore the individuals who purchases the plant will pay General Sales Tax (GST). However ONLY license distributors can sell marijuana and possession and consumption of marijuana at a public place constitutes a misdemeanor or imprisonment. In that way both the government and the economy can benefit from marijuana. Legalize it!!
Cerie I disagree with your statement. Marijuana will influence the economy but not in the way you mention. the only people that would benefit would be the drug dealer. As in the case of many other narcotics, addicts become hooked to these drugs and spend all their money to feed this addiction. and end up committing crimes to feed their addiction. Becoming a problem to society. Marijuana should not be decriminalized.
Decriminalization does not increase the economic opportunity for those in need, legalization can. It is therefore my position that Marijuana should not be decriminalized but legalized.In my opinion the decriminalization of marijuana will not have any positive impact on our country.The legalization of marijuana could influence the economy in a positive manner. Marijuana also known as cannabis, chronic, herb, weed, pot, mary jane and ganja is a flowering plant. In Belize at least half of the population uses marijuana. Marijuana can be beneficial in many ways. if we look at the state of our economy, we can see that as a nation we are not doing well. Marijuana is against the law and its a duty of a citizen to obey it. The Government of Belize will decriminalize it because its reasonable,sensible and the right thing to do.Primary reasons in support of legalizing marijuana includes prohibition of marijuana is unwarranted government interruption into individual freedom of choice, marijuana has proven medical benefits for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other patients, crime and violence are greatly increased due to illegal selling and buying of marijuana. Legalization would logically end the need for such criminal behaviour; drug busts of youth for marijuana offenses often carry harsh penalties that can cause undue social harm with lifelong consequences.
Marijuana also known as Canabis, in its many form once used by an individual changes how the mind works. Containing THC, and classified as a short term hallucinogen, marijuana can cause a variety of effects depending on the individual who is taking it. Some of these effects are depression, mood swing, tension, fear, increased heart rate, memory reduction, and thinking and imagining things that are not real. These effects are bad for an individual mentally and physically, and it was also proven that the THC found in marijuana contributes to certain types of cancer. Legalization of marijuana in Belize will not only affect our mental health, but also crime. By legalizing marijuana, it means opening up stores where it can be purchased, which will cause drugs cartels and other illegal marijuana distributors to be out of business. This will lead to some form of violence between those selling marijuana legally and the illegal distributors who are now out of business. It will open a gate for distributors to other countries where marijuana is illegal. Marijuana should be not decriminalize by all means in Belize.
Marijuana is not a deadly substance. Yes, it is a drug but it does no harm whatsoever to any person unless it is critically abused like everything else. Too much sugar can kill you but that doesn't mean it should be illegal. Even if you find an individual with so much grams of weed, would you arrest that person if it was instead five packs of cigarettes? Which is an even deadlier substance? Instead of branding the substance as 'illegal', the government should instead prohibit it from being used in public, as they did with alcohol.
I do not believe that Marijuana should be Decriminalize. Marijuana is known to cause serious health problems and mental illness. Marijuana hinders the user's short-term memory (memory for recent events), and he or she may have trouble handling complex tasks. There is also a strong link between drug use and unsafe sex and the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The main respiratory consequences of smoking marijuana regularly are pulmonary infections and respiratory cancer. The effects also include chronic bronchitis, impairment in the function of the smaller air passages, inflammation of the lung, the development of potentially pre-cancerous abnormalities in the bronchial lining and lungs and a reduction in the capabilities of many defensive mechanisms within the lungs. Marijuana smoke and cigarette smoke contain many of the same toxins, including one which has been identified as a key factor in the promotion of lung cancer. This toxin is found in the tar phase of both, and it should be noted that one joint has four times more tar than a cigarette, which means that the lungs are exposed four-fold to this toxin and others in the tar.
It has been suggested that marijuana is at the root of many mental disorders, including acute toxic psychosis, panic attacks, flashbacks, delusions, depersonalization, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, and uncontrollable aggressiveness. Marijuana has long been known to trigger attacks of mental illness, such as bipolar psychosis and schizophrenia
I am for the decriminalization of marijuana; therefore I strongly agree with Vanessa. Marijuana is beneficial for curing many ailments and as proven by a recent study, it even has positive effects on the lungs if used casually. So why should anyone be charged and sent to jail for using marijuana? Each person should be entitled to equal rights; however it would scare the government and all the factories which manufacture medication. If the government keeps majority of society in ignorance about the facts on marijuana, they will lose millions of dollars. Moreover, if a universal cure such as marijuana would be found for life threatening diseases such as lung cancer, factories manufacturing medication would suffer great loss. Thankfully, persons like my classmates and I are educated about the positive uses of marijuna, so I urge more persons to get educated about the facts because if more people are educated on marijuna, the government would have less control on society.
I believe that marijuana should be decriminalized. I say this because countless studies reveal that it has many industrial and medicinal uses. One very recent study proves that if used casually the plant doesn't even lead to lung damage;however creates positive effects on the lungs. On the other hand, studies found marijuana use to be very beneficial in treating multiple sclerosis, Torette syndrome, obsessive-complusive disorder, anxiety disorders, cancer and many more conditions. most notably, the plant posess a significant painkilling effect as well as noticeable improvements in sleep. Each person should be entitled to equal rights; however it would scare the government and all the factories which manufacture medication. If the government keeps majority of society in ignorance about the facts on marijuana, they will lose millions of dollars. Moreover, if a universal cure such as marijuana would be found for life threatening diseases such as lung cancer, factories manufacturing medication would suffer great loss. Thankfully, persons like my classmates and I are educated about the positive uses of marijuna, so I urge more persons to get educated about the facts because if more people are educated on marijuna, the government would have less control on society.
The government of Belize should legalize marijuana and should not pass any laws to decriminalize it, Marijuana is one of the most common drug used worldwide not only in Belize, and as years goes by it has become even more popular and used by many from the elders to the teenagers. Therefore making a law would not change people from using marijuana as they are pleased, so the best thing to do is for the government to legalize marijuana. The people who are against legalization may say that marijuana is just a next drug that should be banned; I think they should do more research! Marijuana helps a lot of people when it comes to medical needs such as: Marijuana has been used to enhance the appetite of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Studies have shown that marijuana is beneficial in relieving a person from the uneasy feeling of nausea. Doctors have made use of marijuana, successfully, in the treatment of neurogenic pain. The people suffering from glaucoma, asthma and spasticity have been found to have benefited from the consumption of marijuana. Marijuana can also help relieve the chronic pain and suffering of people with incurable diseases like cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, etc. Marijuana is regarded to be a 'mind opener' i.e. it can help people broaden their outlook and think creatively. What would people do without marijuana (medication)? It is used as medication whereby people NEED it! The government should not only look at the cons but also the pros and let the country have the use of this herb just as people use other medications legally such as Tylenol, Advil etc, If that is the case then all those medication should be banned.
ReplyDeleteI most strongly agree with Melony Dawson that the Government of Belize should legalize marijuana. Many people say that marijuana is bad and it is illegal and people should not be using it. The question that we should all ask ourselves is "Why shouldn't marijuqana be legal?" what is so wrong with it that? Has it ever hurt anyone? If marujuana is clinically used by some doctors, why can't the people use it too because no doctor would give their patients anything that they know is not good for them or could kill them. Poeple need to start looking at the positive effects of marijuana insterad of all the negatives. The Government should not want to legalize marijuana because they think it is bad and they do not want the people to be using it. The government should not be making decisions for the people. Poeple are free to do and use whatever they want for their own reasons at their own free will as long as it does not hurt others or bring harm to others. If tobacco and alcohol could be legal then so should marijuana.
DeleteMelony,I agree that marijuana is present and used in many countries other than Belize, and I agree that the government should considering decriminalizing this drug, but only to a certain extent. If an individual is caught with more that so much grams of marijuana he/she should be penalized.
DeleteI agree with you Melony, marijuana should not become legal. our country is barely making as it is today and by legalizing it it. That will just make the state of our country worst.
DeleteI agree with you, Melony. Marijuana usage has become an epidemic in many societies and age groups. The government should not LEGALIZE this drug but should DECRIMINALIZE it by only allowing a small portion. This drug is used for medicinal purposes and thank you for enlightening me with further knowledge on the benefits of this drug.
DeleteIt won't be such a bad think to DECRIMINALIZE marijuana but before doing so we need to have proper structures in place to have the circulation of the drug under control. Yes everyone is just looking at either legalizing or decriminalization of this drug but who will be the distributors of the drug? who will make sure it is under control? we can't expect to burden the police department with another responsibility especially with the crime rate at a high.
DeleteSmoked marijuana does damages the brain, heart, lungs, and the immune system. it impairs learning and interferes with memory, perception, and judgement, it also contains cancer-causing compounds.we all need to understand that this is a good medicinal drug but anything we consume by smoking will affect our health some way or the other.
I have seen the benefits of marijuana but not by smoking it, so lets start teaching the proper way to consume this drug, either by boiling it then drinking the water or cooking it in food eg.(cakes, brownies, fudge)etc. then eating it. Lets look at the normal consumption of any locally growing herb like "cirocy", "pis-a-bed", "contribo" and so forth; these herbs are usually boiled and then drink rather than being smoked. So in fact this will show that the smoke from the marijuana is what is dangerous to our health.
Posted by: Nolasa Slusher
I strongly agree with this. These are some strong and well structured points. It is a natural herb created by God but it is being abused and used unconsiously. When abused it destroys one's being. Good job. The usage of marijuana should only occur if needed.
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ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with Melony the government of Belize should decriminalize marijuana. Marijuana is one of the most commonly known drug used all around the world. However, I've read the International Business Times and it clearly states that" prescription drugs kills about 100,000 people in the world each year". I found this statistic very alarming! Do you know of any deaths caused by marijuana? The point is you cannot find one! Marijuana may be beneficial to everyone's health. Do you know that the ingredients found in marijuana plays a vital role in controlling spontaneous seizures in epilepsy? Therefore, if marijuana happens to be band off the market what would happen to people's health? I believe any medicine that is all natural is considered a big treat to medical companies.
ReplyDeleteI agree with vaness rowland 100%,having done all my research about marijuana i heard all good about it.yes it may have its cons but face it,its a medicine and should i say a NATURAL MEDICINE! like what vanessa said.its helping alot of people in Belize so to speak and also world wide,what would we do without MARIJUANA?How would many survive?when all the prescription drugs that the doctor gives are killing the people out!because of all the chemicals that are used in them!vanessa made some every strong points i really like that!
DeleteI think it is a great idea that the government of Belize is considering decriminalizing marijuana. Like Melony said it is a NATURAL MEDICINE! So, why should someone be penalize for using it? Numerous studies proved that marijuana is a medical benefit. Hence, we should take a broader look on the positive aspects of marijuana. do you know of any medication that can help you without giving long term side effects? My point is the more we continue to consume these medication, the more we are destroying our bodies. That's why we should put NATURAL MEDICINE to good use! I believe we should become more alert to the things that can help us rather than the things that will shorten our lives.
DeleteI totally agree with Vanessa and Melony. Weed is a medicine and if you want to call it a "drug" its the only drug with benefits so why should it be illegal. When there are other drugs out there that don't do you any good but yet are legal. Its a natural plant that has been helping in the medical field for years. Simple things like putting weed in your alcohol help you with joint pain. So you go to jail because you are found with weed in your alcohol? it shouldn't be like that. It not only helps with that but with other medical sicknesses as well.
DeleteI agree with you crystal,alot may not see the good effects marijuana has until one day they might be in a situation whereby they NEED this herb because of medical issues,and trust me they will be very thankful for it.There is nothing els i could say we have explained alot and we throwed out some good points.The government should take a good look at the medical field and also get suggestions from the community!
DeleteI agree with Vanessa Rowland that marijuana does not kill people but it helps then relax and open their minds to more things around them.If the government legalizes marijuana it will save them a lot of money. Because since they want to not legalize marijuana when they catch people with it they will charge them and send them to jail. But, in order to send them to jail they wioll have to go through a lot of expenses such as: food, , health care, attorney fees, court cost, etc. The government could save a lot of money if they legalize marijuana and use the money for other necessary reasons such as helping the poor and make Belize a better place and improve the standard of living for people.
DeleteThe Government of Belize should not pass any laws to decriminalize Marijuana. Marijuana is a drug whose active ingredients is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which acts on cannabinoid receptors on the nerve cells and influences those cells in the parts of the human brain that influences pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Marijuana is a drug that affects the human brain, heart and lungs while in pregnant women the child is affected, so then we could satisfactorily say that Marijuana is dangerous for the human body. Not only does marijuana cause health issues, but also is one of the main factors of crime and even vehicular accidents in our country. Although legalization activist and many marijuana users believe that smoking cannabis has no negative effects, scientific research indicates that marijuana use causes many different health problems and anyone who knows someone who uses marijuana regularly will agree with this fact.
ReplyDeleteThe idea if decriminalizing marijuana is surely not a good move by the Barrow administration and the different health issues caused by the use of this drug is beyond control. The first and perhaps the main health issue caused by marijuana use is the effect it has on the lungs. Research indicates that marijuana smoke contains three times the amount of tar found in tobacco smoke and fifty percent more carcinogens, hence making it more hazardous to the human respiratory system than tobacco smoke. Furthermore, several studies indicate that children born to mothers who use marijuana during pregnancy have problems with neurological development. Marijuana increased the heart beat and lowers the blood pressure in humans, which makes the risk of a heart attack four times higher than general risk of heart attack when not smoking. So then, why decriminalize Marijuana if it causes so much negative effects on the human body? With all the research and studies done on marijuana, it clearly indicates that marijuana is a drug that is very hazardous to the human health, and should not be decriminalize not even in small quantities.
I am in agreement with you Oscar,because we have facts about all the dangers of what marijuana can do to our health. whether its is short or long term it still has effects. unless our GOB want us to walk around like "zombies".when this is legalized and decriminalize by law then that is showing that it can be accessible anytime, anywhere and to anyone.Our crime and violence rate is so high. what will happen to our country Belize? what will happen to our children? we will have a chaos society. Children will be difiant especially in the schools. Parent will not be able to speak to their children in a decent manner because they brain cells will be dead. Yes it natural medicine when get penalize everyone will say "we are using for medicine" which they will use that to abuse of marijuana.Our GOB needs to consult first before passing any laws and have a vote by the people.
DeleteTo start off I must say that Oscar you have some interesting points on why we should not legalize marijuana however I still disagree. I believe that marijuana should be legalized. Cigarettes and alcohol kill- that we know as fact. You can read the labels on the product itself and read the harmful qualities of the products.
DeleteThe Karl Husuner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) "each year more than 9,000 Belizeans die of alcohol-related causes"Cancer.org states that "Cigarette Smoking, Each year about 440,000 people die in the United States from illnesses. Many of these people were suffering from more than one smoking-related condition."
Marijuana has not caused the death of a human being, ever. There is no such instance in the history of mankind where and individual has died of overdose of marijuana, or long term effects of marijuana. "To what degree should the government of Belize should exercise control over the private lives of citizens?”
It amuses me that some of the most well-known leaders who are the biggest users of Marijuana are the ones, who just can't shut up about their hatred of Marijuana. Some reasons why marijuana should be legalized are:
1) The government could then collect a tax from it
2) It would cost so much less- since we wouldn't clog up our jails and prisons with it
3) It would be less expensive than our very expensive war on drugs.
4) Should be legalized because it has lots of medicinal uses.
5) Marijuana is something "God" made so lets be good Samaritans of the lord and use what he has provided us with.
Thank you lord.
I disagree with Oscar because why talk about the effect of weed. lets talk about the effect of alcohol and tobacco, that now is a big problem and has lots of effects. The only reason people bash against weed is because its illegal or else they would not even worry about it. Yet alcohol and tobacco are legal but are worse in every sense.So the problem here is that its illegal not its effects. If alcohol or tobacco was illegal there would be the the same problem but its not so nobody talk cares about it. My point is the "effects" of weed is not a valid reason to not decriminalize it.
Delete"The only reason people bash against weed is because its illegal or else they would not even worry about it. Yet alcohol and tobacco are legal but are worse in every sense."
DeleteLet's remember why marijuana is illegal and why tobacco and alcohol are legal.
Remember the History of Belize? that boring book we had to read in Standard 6 to pass Social Studies PSE? It said that:
1. The favourite beverage of the Baymen was: ALCOHOL!!!!
2. The favourite passtime of the Baymen was:
DRINKING ALCOHOL!!!!
No wonder noone ever thought about making alcohol illegal. Wow.
Another hobby the Baymen enjoyed was the smoking of tobacco in their big pipes, and don't forget the chewing and spitting of tobacco as well. Tobacco was regarded as the rich man's drug. Then up came the poor black man's discovery of Something That Makes You High: Marijuana, The Cheaper Drug.
Then higher up came the Big Bad Whiteman, crushing the black man's dream of experiencing a high like the white man's, and told everyone that marijuana is Bad, and made it illegal to use marijuana. So the whiteman continued to sell the expensive tobacco, crushing the sale of cheap marijuana with his Great Laws.
And to this day, marijuana is still illegal.
Karl Marx once said,
"Religion is the opium of the masses. It is the cry of the oppressed creature."
In reference to that, Daphne Stewart is saying,
"Laws are the opium of the Belizean. It is the whim of the depressed Leaders."
I would agree with you that its the effect are bad but why they have to abuuse it everyday and also they have to pay a fee for it. I don't see the sense of it. People doesn't see the damages they are doing to the body that they are killing themslves. To start with the GOB should go for it because the future youths are the same ones they are destroying their lives and they enjoy it like crazy and whenever you tell them they just laugh like fools and idiots. I hate things like this happens especially drugs.
DeleteI totally agree with Daphne Stewart because yes since marijuana is an illegal drug they are many arguments on why it should be legalize but this is done mainly by the persons using it. it's through that the reason why tobacco and alcohol are legal is because it doesn't pose a lot of threats on the individuals that consume it, the effects of alcohol are minimal to that of marijuana.
DeleteI agree with you Oscar that the Government of Belize should not pass the law in decriminalizing marijuana for several reasons. Smoking marijuana is a health hazard for weed smokers or anyone who decided to smoke the drug. Also it is risky for pregnant women to smoke marijuana, which can affect the growth and development of an unborn fetus. It can cause mental retardation, blindness, respiratory and lungs deficiencies to the child. Also smoking marijuana, contributes to the rampant crime in Belize; which the government themselves are running out of ideas to deal with the situation, much less to decriminalize marijuana. That will definitely open the door to more vulnerable and uncontrollable situations. Hence the reason you have said it right, GOB should not pass the law to decriminalize the drug.
DeleteI agree with what you have said Oscar mainly because we are looking on its side-affects and the dependency. And as mentioned by Vashdi your posted with different points are very interesting. especially about the pregnant woman and what it does to her unborn child.
DeleteI totally agree with you Oscar, in my opinion it should not be decriminalized. If GOB proceeds with this matter our little country will find itself with so much more health and crime problems. Then in the end it will be us the citizens to take on the burden of caring for those that become ill in the longer run after using this drug years and years. I don't think GOB has put much thought into this matter. What will happen to those that become ill with lung cancer, breathing problems, babies born ill due to the exposure of the drug? Belize does not have the proper facilities in place. Imagine the increase in crime rate, as if we didn't have a problem already. All those youths walking with weed in hand, impaired judgement, what will stop them from wanting more? Demanding an increase in the legal amount, lower court fines, then what... make "harder" drugs legal too? I say NO to decriminalizing Marijuana.
DeleteThe Government of Belize should not legalize or decriminalize marijuana.According to the research of marijuana it stated tha marijuana is a dry shredded green/brown mix of flowers and leaves of the plant Cannabis sativa. The main chemical in marijuana is THC(delta9tetrahydrocannabinol). when smoked the THC passes from the lungs into the blood stream which is transported to the brain and other organs. when this chemical reaches the brain it connect with other receptors or nerve cells that affect coordination, memory, sensory, thoughts and pleasure this causes the marijuana "high".Even thou no one has died from marijuana it has it short and long term effects, why would our GOB would want to legalize and decriminalized marijuana in belize and know its a hazard to our health.Research has shown that marijuana limits the capacity to absorb and retain information and that is a fact.well if this is the case then we can do the same for other drugs.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, GOB should not pass any laws to legalize and decriminalized marijuana in any quatity at all. we have seen whereby other states in the world has laws against possessing and selling marijuana, and they are fighting war against drug. If we surely get to this state then you tell me how are we going to fight this war on drugs, crime? when legalizing it and decriminalizing in small quantity who would be benefitting from it, the drug lords who would use it as a money making business.yes i understand some people would use it as medicine, but i believe that's just an excuse to grow and abuse it even more.what about our generation growing up? this would surely be a problem. especially our young people who uses marijuana, may end up with a criminal record that can hurt their future plan for college or finding a job. And also more and more business place are testing for drugs as part of the hiring process.Our GOB needs to consult the people country wide and then let the public vote on it.
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DeleteI agree with you; legalizing the drug has more negative effects than positive effects. It doesn't really benefit the country and it can cause major chaos in the country if the government chooses to legalize it.
DeleteI agree with you, that marijuana has positive and negatives effect but my question is why do people abuse drugs? What is the sense of abusing? The only thing you can gain is risking your health.Drug left people mentally ill what did the Government have done about it. It's time to the government and the citizens of Belize decide.
DeleteI totally agree with you Josephine, and its quite clear that you have did your research ; you have brought some strong points why GOB should not decriminalize marijuana. Decriminalizing marijuana in our little country call Belize, can definitely have a negative impact on our society, in our schools and on the work field. Also I like the fact that you have mentioned that marijuana limits the capacity to absorb and to retain information. In the sense that they would not be able to function well in school, even at the job site. In the end this will increase the number of high school drop out, and unemployed works, which eventually can lead to idol minds.
Deletesecondly another factor that captures my attention, being a third world country,we have not gotten to point of war against drug possession of marijuana. This can be critical for us being a small population, and we would not be able to control the situation. Hence the reason GOB should take this into consideration, and think twice of passing such laws, think of our young children's future.
I agree with Josephine. The decriminalization of marijuana would have a negative effect on our country, and like you said even though it can be used for medically reasons. People will only use this as an excuse to abuse the use of marijuana. I agree with you 100% you have brought up some very good arguments as to why the government should not decriminalize marijuana.
DeleteI think that the Government of Belize should not pass laws to decriminalized marijuana. Because marijuana is very useful. It is recreational, it is use for medical use and it calms some people nerves. Marijuana has never killed anyone however it helps people more than anything. Many people say it is because of marijuana there is so many crime and accidents. I think that statement is false crime and accidents have their own contributions. In fact Marijuana open your mind some students who do marijuana before entering a class usually do well in the class and are usually the ones to answer questions more than the others who are not taking “pot”. Besides from Marijuana they are may other drugs that are use in the medicines we are taking. Why not focus on those drugs as well? Why don’t we just legalize marijuana and stop all the argument. Think of it this way. If marijuana can help with medical problems don’t you think it can prevent the medical problems as well?
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you Vashdi Moguel, that's what am talking about. It has more positive effect than negative. Thats the reason why we have so many legal drugs today, because of the positive side of them. Califonia and India and so many other country legalized it so why is it so hard for Belize to do the same.
DeleteI must disagree with Vashdi Moguel, Marijuana might have positive effects but the side effects of these positive effects are not taken into consideration. Marijuana is a drug and that is a fact, nothing else should be taken into account. we are already faced with many health issues due to alcohol and cigarette abuse, so why should we allow another drug to be legalize? Are we insane or do we want to kill out our generations faster? I honestly belief that Marijuana should not be decriminalized and worst yet, legalized.
DeleteI totally agree with you Vashdi. This will help our country in so many ways. Both the pros and cons needs to be viewed in this situation. One of the advantages of this drug is for medical purposes. Since people with cancer have become alarming, marijuana helps cancer patients. This is a step in order to help make Belize a better place.
DeleteOscar we do understand that it is a drug. however there is so many other drugs out here that we are not focusing on like I said before Marijuana haven't killed anyone never yet. On the other hand we have other drugs out here that are far way more awful than marijuana and is taken everyday in the medicines today so why not pass a rule for those as well? we cant because it for medical use and we don't want to see people dying around us. like wise the marijuana helps so lets not be selfish and think only about our selves and remember the needs of others out here.
DeleteVashdi, I agree. You made reasonable points as to why they should legalize marijuana. Not because it's legalize your forced to use it. It's your personal choice as to whether you see it beneficial to you or not. It can help our country not only in medical usage but also as a way to gain tax for those who are users as well.
DeleteI agree with you Completely vashdi.Marijuana has a lot of positive effects as you stated above, it calms the nerves and it helps ailments. Moreover it is proven that marijuana works for illness such as depression and chronic pain, so why not legalize it?
DeleteHey Vashdi sorry to be a bugger but I think you're contradicting yourself. So what like that because you stated that you dont want the law to be passed but yet your points that are made about is that if it is passed all these good things would happen...Oh and just check over your work for little mistake like when you meant many and may showed up.. but any way you have a valid point if its legalize
DeleteSome* I know that everyone makes mistake.
DeleteI totally agree with the decriminalization of weed and the government should pass the law. Decriminalization means that a specific activity (such as the possession of a small amount of weed) would be removed from the scope of the criminal courts, but would still be against the law. With decriminalization, the user would be persecuted differently and an “alternative penalty”, such as a fine would be the consequence. It doesn’t mean that it will legalize. Legalization would involve the removal of legal penalties, although regulations and rules about the about production and distribution could still be developed and put into effect. Weed is no more harm than alcohol and tobacco and they are both legal in Belize, so what makes weed worse? When its alcohol and tobacco killing hundreds of people everyday, but yet that’s what is legal and nobody is worried about it or says anything. Just because it’s legal it doesn’t make it better because it’s not. It also has medical benefits like for cancer, Aids and other sickness.
ReplyDeleteIn the U.S.A the impact on youth monitoring the future, occasional paper series: paper No. 13 Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan the government studies conclude that weed decriminalization has had to virtually no effect on either weed use or beliefs and related attitudes about weed young people in those states that have enacted such a policy. I don’t agree with the consumption of weed or saying its right to do it but the government of Belize should decriminalize it. Why call a person who has been caught with one stick of weed a criminal? When there are other bigger issues that the government of Belize has at the moment. They are attacking the little fishes when they should go for the big fish but don’t.
Crystal,I agree with your points to decriminalize marijuana 100%. It has many benefits for the country. And like you stated that it gives the courts and police more time to focus on more serious crimes than to deal with petty crimes.
DeleteI am in total agreement with your view, Crystal. The government of Belize should decriminalize marijuana since it has medicinal benefits on several illnesses. The government would be assisting those with these illnesses simply by allowing them to have only a small portion to suit their specific ailments. Other crimes such as killing and robbery are getting the same jail time and consequences as being found with a small portion of marijuana.
DeleteI agree with you Crystal. I think that the government should pass the law because majority of people that's go to jail are poor people that can not pay the fine so that they going to jail and that will take up space where real criminal belong to be.
DeleteMedicated marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, vomiting, nausea and several other symptoms caused by cancer, AIDS or the harsh drugs used to treat certain illnesses. Marijuana is also less toxic than many of the other drugs used nowadays and it is safe to use. However it is a dangerous drug and there are other pain killers offered which are much safer to use. Marijuana has serious side effects which can cause and increase in heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure for uses who smoke marijuana. Smoked marijuana damages the brain, heart, lungs and immune system. Marijuana causes chronic bronchitis and the same degree of damage to bronchial mucosa as would twenty or more cigarettes can do a day. It harms the user’s ability to learn and interferes with memory, perception and judgment. As well it contains cancer- causing compounds. How ironic that it eases the pain of cancer and contains cancer-causing compounds?
ReplyDeleteIn every user marijuana affects the sex and hormones, for instance, males who smoke marijuana can lower there testosterone. So alert to all men testosterone is what puts hair on a man’s chest and it’s the force behind a man’s sex drive. Regular users of marijuana may also lead to abnormal sperm or immature sperm production. Females on the other hand who use marijuana prolong their menstrual cycle making them have an irregular period. During pregnancy babies are born with weak central nervous system and an abnormal response to light and sound. Based on all that I have read and informed myself about I do not think that the Government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana. At first I thought that marijuana was good for the body helps with pain and cancer but now that I have investigated the matter I came to a different perspective of the situation and in my opinion it should not be legalized.
Lets look at the positive side Ms Karina Balan. and you have it all there people in our country needs to be healed quickly and marijuana is the key to all this dilemma. and ofcourse it has a side effect just like every other legal drug on the market.
Deletehttp://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana-abuse/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-your-brain-body
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that marijuana should be legalized. The first and most basic reason that marijuana should be legal is that there is no good reason for it not to be legal. Some people ask 'why should marijuana be legalized?" but we should ask "Why should marijuana be illegal?" From a philosophical point of view, individuals deserve the right to make choices for themselves. The government only has a right to limit those choices if the individual's actions endanger someone else. This does not apply to marijuana, since the individual who chooses to use marijuana does so according to his or her own free will. The government also may have a right to limit individual actions if the actions pose a significant threat to the individual. But this argument does not logically apply to marijuana because marijuana is far less dangerous than some drugs which are legal, such as alcohol and tobacco.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana can be used as medicine because it helps to stimulate appetite and relieve nausea in cancer and AIDS patients.these are the most common diseases in Belize people. so the best thing is to legalize this medicine and save some lives!
Justin, they are, good, in fact, great reasons for marijuana not be legalized. So you might want to check that out. Secondly, they are several reasons why marijuana should be illegal. IT IS A DRUG! it is used for medication, yes, but if not used properly it can become seriously dangerous to the person using it as well as they people that are around someone who is under the influence of that drug. It is said that the drug takes over and allows one to do things they would not do on a regular day, so yes, they are many reason for this drug not to be illegal.
DeleteJustin, the lives of cancer and AIDS patient can be save. but the answer to that problem is not by legalizing marijuana ain't the answer there other ways of helping these patients without legalizing marijuana that will not cause our society to become a midlife crisis
DeleteI understand where you are coming from Justin, but there are other drugs that can be used that are not so detrimental. Marijuana contains 421 chemicals and it stays in the body for a month, depending if the person is a heavy user. Marijuana contains cancer causing-chemicals which is sometimes even more than the amount found in tobacco smoke. As well people who smoke marijuana often develop similar symptoms as cigarette smokers, such as: coughing or wheezing. Also Justin, how can marijuana help cancer fighting patients if it contains cancer-causing chemicals? I understand that your best interests are with these patients who need help and so are mine, but there are other alternatives.
DeleteI agree with you justin marijuana should be legalize because it dose no harm to the human body. I also think that marijuana is good for the body, most people use it as medicine for people.
DeleteAnyone who believes that decriminalizing marijuana possession will help control our nation’s drug crisis is completely out of touch with the reality of the problem. Decriminalization will make matters worse for a number of reasons. First, decriminalizing marijuana possession will enable users to spend more time being high. When people can walk the streets with it in their pockets without fear of arrest, they will have it more often and use it more often. It is hardly an encouraging prospect to think that marijuana users will be high more often. Such a disastrous outcome will put even more pressure on our families, communities, businesses, health services, and law enforcement officials. Second, it will increase the likelihood that more people, especially impressionable, curious young people, will try the drug. When government declares that something is no longer illegal, many people drop their guard. They surmise that if the government isn’t worried about it, it must not be very dangerous. The only thing decriminalization will do is create more customers for the illicit drug trade. People who use marijuana will be more inclined to want to try other drugs. Decriminalization will not reduce the current drug problem afflicting our nation; it will increase it. When has demand for something ever not been met? People find a way to get what they want, and as long as there is an easy profit in it, there will always be someone willing to supply them. It is a scientific fact that the younger a person is when he starts to use illicit drugs, the greater the likelihood that he will develop drug dependency. We have enough young people living that reality already. We certainly do not need to increase their numbers.
ReplyDeleteIf marijuana were to be legalized, consumption of it would likely increase. Along with that would likely come health and community costs: increase in accidents due to motor impairment, increase in associated illnesses such as cancer, as is the case with cigarette smoking, as well as the multiple hospitalizations and surgeries often accompanying those addicted to nicotine. Many are against of the legalization of marijuana because of its claimed negative impacts. Marijuana is one of the most abused drugs across the world and the call for its legalization has a significant impact on governments and individuals. This has informed my opinion that marijuana should not be legalized since doing so will lead to increased addiction, social evils like crime and additional burdens to the world’s health care system through treatment of this addiction and drug induced accidents. Marijuana can be socially addictive. If a person got addicted on it, his life becomes dependent on it. Some long-time users say that marijuana is addictive. Many of them show signs of dependence on marijuana because they develop withdrawal symptoms if they were not able to use the drug. Marijuana’s medical uses are not yet globally accepted.
Well said Elton Guevara I agree. It’s clear you did your research. The legalization of marijuana is expensive. Street marijuana normally cost half the price a person would pay for medicated marijuana. There is also no guarantee that street marijuana will be free of contaminants that can harm a person. It is best to use the money for a more productive cause.
Deletethat is quite likely true Elton. that is also another main reason why Marijuana should not be legal. it will create the settings of the economy without you even see it coming
Deletei disagree that marijuana should be legal. but i do agree that it is being prescribe by a doctor for medical reason. the reason being that marijuana does not only affect yourself but also affect others around for more info on this go to website http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_marijuana_affect_the_health_of_other_people_around_you_or_near_them
ReplyDeleteThe decriminalization of marijuana has both positive and negative effects. Marijuana is a mixture of seeds, flowers and leaves that originated from an Indian plant called Hemp.Marijuana has many different names, such as; ganja, pot, weed, grass, etc.The drug is very common for the use of smoking. Now, the government is contemplating whether or not they should legalize marijuana. In my opinion marijuana should NOT be legalized. Though the drug can be beneficial to the cure or the ease of pain for some diseases that should not be the major reason why it should become legal country wide. the government should make a legal agree, that in order to get it to help with the disease it MUST be prescribed by a LEGAL doctor.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana has a lot of effects that can cause severe damage to the brain. when consuming the drug it controls the central nervous system and causes the individual to do things that they would not normally do. Let's say the drug becomes legal... Everyone will want to try; especially teenagers. They don't know how their system will react to it. What if when consuming the drug a person chooses to kill someone? Who will be at fault then? the individual won't be blamed because they were under the consumption of drugs.... So then what will happen to society. The whole system will be destroyed! No order, No justice. People will have too much freedom and that liberty will then cause chaos in the country.
I must applaud you, Alexandra, good job in detailing why the government of Belize should not decriminalize Marijuana. I totally agree with you, and I must add that Marijuana is a very addicted drug and the more you smoke this drug the more addicted you become to it. In many cases, persons who smoke Marijuana also smoke cigarette, which makes matters worst in regards to their health. The majority of persons who use Marijuana tend to take little or no pride in themselves. They are most of the time dirty, ragged and smell awfully bad. Perhaps that is only in Belize, but if that is what the drug causes then why should our government decriminalize or worst yet legalize Marijuana.
DeleteI agree with you 100%, especially when you said "what will happen to society", because if marijuana is decriminalize our youth will want to experiment and try it and their health will be affected,and what will happen to our future, because the youths are our future. Although marijuana has been prove to be beneficial to ease the pain for some disease, the cons outweigh the pros. Therefore i agree with you, Alexandar that marijuana should not be decriminalize.
DeleteMarijuana is a drug as well as a medication; however it, like any other medication or drug, has side effects. The government of Belize is contemplating on whether they should decriminalize this drug. Marijuana is decriminalized in many countries, yes, it cures some sicknesses, yes, but bottom line, it is a drug and it allows individuals to react in some ways they may not react or behave the way they would if they were not under the influence of the drug. People are different; they react to different things on different ways, what may be good for one person would not be good for another person. So, the government should take that into consideration.
ReplyDeleteSince marijuana is also is a medication the government should also take that into consideration. Believe it or not marijuana has helped many people. So, I personally think the government should decriminalize marijuana to a certain extent. I mean, if someone is caught with a stick of weed, why would they spend time behind bar for that? That is ridiculous. So to implement this, the government should arrest or take to court any person who has more than so much grams of marijuana, for example, ten (10) grams. If a person is caught with more than ten (10) grams of marijuana he/she should face the consequences. However, if the person needs it for medical reasons they should have a prescription on him/her whenever he/she is using the drug in case the police ask for the prescription. Also, in order to lessen the amount of marijuana cases the government should implement the law, like the alcohol law, that no one should be caught smoking in public places. I believe that if this law is enforced it will make the police officers' job a little less difficult. If this law is not followed consequences will be enforced.
So, all in all, the government should legalize marijuana, but to a certain extent.
I strongly agree that there are many good uses of marijuana. It does help in many health issues. Marijuana like any other drugs when one abuse it will have a side effect. I remember the older people use to soak a little of the leaves in alcohol and other herbs and use it as a rubbing compound. These days people use and abuse its use. Creating serious problems for themselves and others. I also agree that there should be a small amount that one can have at any one time, but when found with more than the amount then they should definitely be penalized, as well as using it in the public. It should be more of a home use.
DeleteOn the other hand persons who frequently use and abuse marijuana do suffer in the longer run. They become addicts and believe that they cannot live without using the drug. Having marijuana at home will give individuals the opportunity to misuse the drug. This will create serious family problems at home, like already exist, and an increase in broken homes, children, woman and man neglect and abuse. So i would say that marijuana should not be decriminalize.
I agree with Shari Bowen.....Marijuana should be decriminalized but to a certain extent....and for medicinal use, the person should have a prescription on them....I hope the government really take this into consideration.
Deletemarijuana would therefore allow these and other students too openly use and abuse marijuana, which will result not only health issues but criminal issues as well.
ReplyDeleteFrom a previous experience with I personally believe that the Government of Belize should not pass the laws to decriminalize marijuana. Research has shown that over 50% of young people has either used marijuana in the past or are presently using marijuana. A survey of 100 high school students and 200 University students revealed that 60% of both categories are using marijuana almost daily. This is the preferred drug since it is cheaper and has easier accessed, not withstanding the its illegality. Legalizing or decriminalizing a marijuana user I can attest that the use of marijuana results in individuals behaving in a not so normal manner. They become so ignorant and stupid, they not only harms themselves but also create problems for their families and the community. This leads to higher crime rates, broken families, harm to individuals and the society. I believe that it starts from a "small" drug like marijuana then eventually leads to the use and abuse of other drugs. If marijuana were to be legalized, its consumption would definitely increase. Along with that it would surely create health and community costs: increase in accidents due to motor impairment, increase in associated illnesses such as cancer, as is the case with cigarette smoking, as well as the multiple hospitalizations and surgeries often accompanying those addicted to nicotine.
I personally believe that the Government of Belize should not pass the laws to decriminalize marijuana. Research has shown that over 50% of young people has either used marijuana in the past or are presently using marijuana. A survey of 100 high school students and 200 University students revealed that 60% of both categories are using marijuana almost daily. This is the preferred drug since it is cheaper and has easier accessed, notwithstanding the illegality. Legalizing or decriminalizing
ReplyDeletei do agree with you Mar Guerra because it is being abused in our country. If we decriminalize it, it will be like telling them it is good to use it and to let them continue abusing it. Due to this what will be left of our future generation. we are a role model to them and they look up to us to learn and be a role model for the future. when those young people become grown adults they will teach others to do the same and that will lead to corruption to the next generation. it will also affect their health, also being high and not in control of themselves can allow them to abuse their children which they do not deserve. its best to not decriminalize it and enforce the law so that our country can be a better place than it is now.
DeleteI think that Marijuana should be decriminalized. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. Marijuana was once a legal drug until California passed the first state marijuana law, outlawing preparations of hemp (marijuana). The earliest known woven fabric was apparently of hemp (marijuana), and over the centuries, the plant was used for food, incense, cloth, rope, medicine and much more. There is evidence pointing to slight increases in lung air flow rates as well as enhancements in lung volume from occasional marijuana use. The plant also possesses a significant painkilling effect as well as noticeable improvements in sleep. Some cannabis activists actually state that certain properties of marijuana can act as a “cure-all” in the right forms. The use of marijuana is associated with the stimulation of appetite and relief from nausea. Marijuana use reduces muscle spasms and relieves eye pressure for glaucoma patients. The drug is also used in the treatment of health complications such as epilepsy, AIDS and HIV, sexual dysfunction, anxiety and panic attacks, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to that, the benefits of medical marijuana extend to the treatment of health diseases such as alcohol abuse, spinal cord injuries, cancer, bipolar disorder, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, migraines, and fibromyalgia. Medical marijuana is also useful to treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep apnea, Parkinson’s disease, sickle-cell disease, and psoriasis. According to my research, marijuana is the least harmful compared to cigarette and alcohol that changes the behaviors of someone. If the Government legalizes marijuana, a license may be given to the producers and distributors attaching to it a percent of tax that should be collected as Government revenue. The price of high quality marijuana in Belize is $600 per ounce, medium quality is $360 per ounce and low quality is $20 per ounce according to The Price of Weed website census in 2011.This will produce a lot of money to the country. This might even help Belize in paying off their Super bond.
There are many myths about the use of marijuana, such as Marijuana use leads to harder drugs, but that is a lie because According to statistics of the government of the United States, over 75 percent of all Americans who use marijuana never use harder drugs. In fact, use of alcohol that is easily and affordably available leads to most drugs. Another myth is that the use of marijuana is addictive in nature, but medical studies have confirmed over a period of time that marijuana is less habit forming than caffeine. Marijuana could be used without harmful impacts to the individual or society, and this truth should no longer be kept hidden from all. If that is not all, marijuana is not nearly as addictive as alcohol or tobacco that are considered legal and sold openly. The dangers of marijuana use have been exaggerated for long and it is time that the credibility of teachers, law enforcement officials, and scientists be restored by accepting the real truth that marijuana is not a harmful drug.
I do agree with Trynise. The country are in so much debts, that the extra stream of money gotten from the decriminalization of marijuana may help to pay off some of those debts. The drug should be more viewed as a medicine and a helper as it helps many to cope with their illnesses. The government should do this in order to help the country lower crime rates and so much more.
DeleteI don't agree with Camree's statement:
Delete"The country are in so much debts, that the extra stream of money gotten from the decriminalization of marijuana may help to pay off some of those debts."
Do you mean that we can sell marijuana to help pay off our debts?
Seriously? By making this come through we might give the BDF a job trying to defend little Belize.
Remember, the rest of the world still views marijuana as a "drug", and therefore, a BAD THING.
If we start to sell marijuana to other countries, it would be on the Black Market. No country would want to openly buy an illegal drug. That would mean hurting their economy by the hundredfolds.
Other countries would say,"Belize is hurting our people by encouraging them to get high off marijuana. Let's not support Belize," and BAM! there's no one else to buy our rice and sugar and onions and oranges.
We cannot afford to have the rest of the world against us. We are not a little hermit island in the middle of the ocean, we need the rest of the world.
And yes, the only way selling marijuana would benefit us is if we has a great Marijuana Industry. Having privatized marijuana trading would not benefit the counry, just a few weed farmers' pockets.
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ReplyDeleteThere are some good arguments that are presented for and against the legalization of Marijuana. However i have to dis agree with the persons who want to legalize marijuana. I do believe that they are medicinal purpose of Marijuana but if it is legalized i believe that drug users would start to abuse it even more if it is legalized. On every corner of each street they will have abusers smoking and acting the fool because it is legal. The active ingredient in marijuana acts on cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and influences the activity of those cells.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana has lots of negative effects on a person for example it can cause negative effects on the heart. Within a few minutes after smoking marijuana, the heart begins beating more rapidly and the blood pressure drops. Marijuana can cause the heart beat to increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute, and can increase even more if other drugs are used at the same time. Smoking marijuana also affect the lungs , even infrequently, it can cause burning and stinging of the mouth and throat, and cause heavy coughing. Scientists have found that regular marijuana smokers can experience the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers do. So while some can find many reasons why the Government of Belize should legalize Marijuana, I believe that there are more reasons as to why they should not legalize Marijuana.
I agree with 100% Lisa Requena because legalizing marijuana will make Belize worst than it is. Some people are not afraid to smoke in public but once it is decriminalized more people will start to smoke anywhere. second hand smoke is more worst for the health of others. Marijuana is not a bad herb but the way people use it makes it bad. it was actually meant for medical use but now it is best that it should not be decriminalize because people now abuse it in an unreasonable way. we must not only think about how it will affect me but also how it affects others as an individual. the future will reflect on us because it is what we cause it to be, based on how we will teach the future generation.
DeleteAfter careful observations and research, I strongly do agree that the government should decriminalize marijuana. Marijuana is a green, brown or grey leaves (dried), stems and seeds of the hemp plant. This will help the country economically, politically and socially. Socially, this move will help by lowering petty crimes such as thefts and robberies. Marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing the nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients and reducing intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma. It also helps reduces muscle spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. Drug dealers in Belize will lose business and will not have control over the quality and distribution of the drug. Marijuana does not cause long tern cognitive impairment although the short-term effects of marijuana include immediate, temporary changes in thoughts, perceptions, and information processing. This drug does not promote to driving accidents although in some cases it may cause changes in one’s driving ability. So much people are arrested each year for marijuana but majority of them are for simple possession.
ReplyDeleteThe decimalization of marijuana will bring in a new source of income for the country which in return may be helped to may debts owed. Less money will be spent on the criminal and health system as marijuana is a medicine. Since there has been controversy over the years between gangs due to drugs and more, this may help decrease expenditure on drug warfare. I think that if the government does decriminalize marijuana, so then medicinal business should be opened in the country to legally distribute the drug for medicinal purposes.
There are pros and cons to this Legalising of Marijuana Commotion.
ReplyDeleteMy personal experience with marijuana has been great. When I was about 6 months old I had signs of asthma (the coughing and whatsnot), and my mom boiled marijuana leaves and fed it to me in my bottle. I haven't had any signs of asthma since. I think marijuana is good, that is, IF ITS TO BE USED AS A MEDICINE.
However, I don't understand why, if marijuana is illegal and we want to stay out of jail, people fearlessly smoke it on the streetcorners. I think its plain stupidity if you know that by carrying marijuana around you could get charged and get locked down overnight, and yet brag openly that you have "weed" on your person.
I don't think that just because a lot of people conform to doing something that is deemed unlawful, that the law should be changed so that the crime statistics decrease.
What's next, are we going to make it legal to shoot someone on the street for no reason just because we have high gun violence statistics?
yes marijuana has it helpful purposes specifically for asthma patients, but should that justify that fact that it is still harmful on others that don't suffer from any illnesses, that require treatment by using marijuana, NO! yes it may be stupid for someone to deliberately carry marijuana with them and know that if caught with it they can be charge with possession depending on the amount they have, but it's not their fault for illegal possession of marijuana has become some what of a norm in our society. It's not their fault, I say this because if the government had done some serious planning and heavily enforce the laws of drug possession then no one would think to carry it on them. maybe some would since everyone has the right to do what he/she feels to do. But still this may be seen as a poor argument by some since although persons maybe free to think and feel what they want they are easily persuade by persons with power.
Deletei must say i fully agree with Miss Stewart. Marijuana is very helpful with asthma patients but not so helpful if u smoke it. who can prove that smoke is good for the body? What other medication, either naturally grown herd or a prescription drug, is best when consumed by smoking.NONE.... so lets face it, it is a good herb but not as we are using it so i don't feel that we need to DECRIMINALIZE it because majority of the people coming forward who wants this are those who just abuse it and are addicted to smoking Marijuana they don't use it for any health reason but just to smoke and get high.if it so why don't we smoke all naturally grown herd.
DeleteNolasa Slusher
Marijuana should be legalized by the Government. Why? Because not only is marijuana a drug but it is also a medicine that helps to relieve nausea for AIDS and Cancer victims and also stimulate apetite. According to mlo@mjlegal.org "Some religions instruct their followers to use marijuana. Just like Christianity and Judaism instruct their followers to drink wine on certain occaisions, some Hindus, Buddhists, Rastafarians, and members of other religions use marijuana as part of their spiritual and religious ceremonies. These people deserve the freedom to practice their religion as they see fit. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that the government cannot 'prohibit the free exercise' of religion, and so marijuana should be legal." So if different religions use marijuana for their own beliefs the Government should at least consider legalizing marijuana instead of making it seem like such a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason why marijuana should be legal is because even though the Government does not want to allow it people are still using it. And they use it for many different reasons. Even the young kids especially high school children are buying and selling marijuana. This is to show that prohibition does not work. People use it anyway. People that deal with marijuana do not care how old you are as long as you have money they will sell marijuana to you because to them money talks. Therefore, the Government should legalize marijuana because it is not only a drug but also a medicine that help people and can save lives.
i agree with kadiesha because weather the law pass or not people will still use marijuana. like for instance now the law have'nt pass as yet but look how many people are using it. so sit and think about it a difference will not be made if u go through such procedure...
DeleteI do not agree with Kadeisha Flowers because I have a strong dislike towards marijuana. I guess it is when you get hit with it in the home you just turn against it but I do not think that Belize should legalize nor decriminalize marijuana because it breaks up families and it causes serious and dangerous addictions.
DeleteI agree to a certain extent with Kadisha Flowers. Marijuana do has its medicinal purpose. In some cases it’s even religious. Not to stray away from the subject but I believe that if Marijuana is legalized it would not be much of a problem. Bad things are only intriguing to do when it is wrong. I think that if Marijuana is legalized no one would want to smoke it again. It would be common and easy to find therefore it would not be worth it anymore. It wouldn’t make a fun thing to do again since everyone is doing it. After that we will only be left with the person who has medicinal use for marijuana taking it and it wouldn’t be in excess amounts.
DeleteGood job so far people! I am reading! Don't forget the term Decriminalization.
ReplyDeleteThank Mr.Tucker for your encouraging remarks i hope you are having a ball. I hope its on the beach with your shades, bath trunk and cerveza in your hand.
DeleteMariguana is a drug- it alters the state of mind of an individual no matter the age, sex or economic status. Decriminalizing means that an individual who is caught with Mariguana in his or her possession will not be charged with an offence and thus the individual will be able to use the drug as as he or she pleases. Decriminalizing Mariguana can be very detrimental to our young and vibrant society. It will increase the number of users and will add to the number of producers, above all their will be an increase in crime in the country.
ReplyDeleteSince individuals from all walks of life will be able to consume this lucrative drug our country will experience a great increase in Ganga users. At present our residents are afraid to use this drug in public because they can rest assured that if caught, a charge will certainly be levied upon them. The fact that a law exists to regulate and punish the use of this drug tends to keep users somewhat in the shadows. Those that use it do it but with a sense of limitation.
The production of Cannabis Sativa is one which has greatly evolved. People in other parts of the world are producing weed in a clandestine ways. Mariguana producers are now using an advanced horticulture method to grow it inside their homes under a controlled climate method. The decriminalization of Mariguana would mean that more individuals will be tempted to use this drug. Now, if there is an increase in demand, the law of economics dictates that more will surely be supplied, and who would be the supplier? The increase in number of suppliers, who would join the market for the profit, will produce a Ganja that is more potent, more addictive and even more flavourful to attract more users. In the US, specifically California, Mariguana is now the main agricultural product being produced, this tops corn and potatoes. Many individuals who are financed by the rich Mexican cartels have moved to California to enjoy in this new gold rush era. Mind you, Mariguana has been legalized in this state. The same will happen in our lovely Belize if decriminalization occurs.
Crime in Belize is rampant; every day there is a crime to report; either someone is killed, robbed or abducted or the list goes one. Decriminalizing Mariguana would have a serious effect on our crime rate. Those who become addicted especially our youth, who are the most vulnerable, will turn to criminal activity to heal their habits. Jamaica, a country in the Caribbean region, is one where many of its residents use Mariguana. The use of this drug is somewhat engraved as part of their culture, the Island is also one with the highest level of crime. Is this what we want for Belize? We are already branded as one of the worst countries in the Caribbean as it relates to crime. Imagine what decriminalization would do to us. We must bear in mind that when lawyers run a country they will always have a scape goat to protect the criminal element and make more money. Belize is no different, who is our leader now? Who was our leader ten years ago? Get the picture? This is business boy, let the Mariguana be legal. Who cares I don’t use it. No, wait this is not the way or approach we must take. We need to stand up for our country.
We must never allow our country to reach to this situation. We can’t even take care of our borders, crime is out of control, and now we want to legalize Mariguana. Is it that our government wants to have a bunch of addicted individuals just walking around smoking a joint here and there and everywhere? That is not the direction we want for our country. We just completed our 31st birthday. We are adults already aren’t we? Are we not able to figure this out ourselves? Who is the one to come up with this bright Idea, I would love to find out. Is this what we want for our children? Or we don’t give a darn about them. God please help us. Peace…. and love but no legalization.
The government of Belize should consider decriminalization the use and distribution of marijuana. Marijuana isn't as harmful as alcohol, cocaine and tobacco. In addition, there are medicinal benefits for cancer patient that use marijuana in its natural form. The state of California have already legalize marijuana as a medicinal drug to treat sever cases of depression. Therefore, legalizing marijuana do have its benefits.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, legalizing marijuana could be a source of additional tax source. Every country place taxes on alcohol and cigarettes which has worst side effects than the use of marijuana. So why not create another item to become a next source of income. Also, it is expensive to train and pay police and boarder security to decrease the distribution of marijuana illegally. While it is the norm in most countries that marijuana is still distributed on a daily basis. This way if marijuana is legalize training for police and boarder security can be done in different area to stop the distribution of more serious drugs as cocaine.
I strongly agree that the government of Belize should decriminalize the usage of marijuana. The heavy charges of having marijuana on a person weighs the same strength as other serious crimes such as killing and robbery. Too many people end up in jail for having a small amount of marijuana on them and the charge is so invalid that the judges have no other choice but to throw out the case due to lack of evidence. The government should implement laws with consequences for those caught with more than ten grams of marijuana. Any person caught with more than the assigned amount, should then face jail time.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana is a substance that is not considered as harmful as other drugs. This drug can be of medicinal purposes to those suffering from asthma or other lung diseases. Marijuana does not contain any chemical substances that may be harmful to your blood system. Other drugs such as tylenol or other pain killers may be filled with chemicals that can cause other diseases in your body such as Cancer.
I agree with Alexander Smith about 50%. First of all I agree that marijuana should be decriminalized because of the cases that are thrown away but it should not be legalized because it does harm the body (you know when it hits you). It is known to cause mental problems.
DeleteI AGREE WITH ALEX 75%....THE POLICE ARE JUST WASTING THEIR TIME AND COURT HOUSE TIME BY TAKING PEOPLE THERE FOR ONLY ONE STICK OF MARIJUANA....I THINK MARIJUANA SHOULD ATLEAST BE DECRIMINALIZED....IM NOT TOO SURE ABOUT LEGALIZING IT.....
DeleteI agree with you Alexander. I believe that people that are found with a small amount of marijuana should just be given a citation rather than to be charged, I mean come on that is just ridiculous to be charge for a little bit of weed! Furthermore marijuana is also good for treating ailments and sickness. Why not use a natural herb that God made than harmful manufactured drugs that are loaded with cancer causing agents.
DeleteI agree with Alexander 85% because many people are being send to jail for small amount of marijuana for long periods of time leaving sibling behind. While killer and sex offenders are not even going to jail for a day. I highly believe that marijuana should be legalized.
DeleteI don't fully agree with what Alexander is say because if we are using marijuana to help with cancer why smoke it, when smoking marijuana or any other drug or tobacco it does contain cancer-causing compounds. so lets be smart if we are using this for any sort of medical reason we won't be smoking it.
DeleteI dont think it is that police are wasting their time. If it is illegal it is and officers must follow procedure. About the harmful part; marijuana is factually a medicinal substance but if abused as is done by most users without ligitimate purpose it does causes damages to the brain.
DeleteDecriminalization is the treatment of the infraction will be adjusted so that most of the detriments are removed or reduced "according to Government statements." The Government of Belize should past laws to decriminalized Marijuana. Why? As a Government they should protect the future youths of Belize because youths have access to marijuana. They abuse it everyday and it also leave people mentally ill or they get crazy. What does Marijuana do to your body? Marijuana have many effects from an ingredient called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC),which resembles chemical that the body and brain make naturally. It attached to specialized proteins, called cannabinoid receptors(CBRs), which the body's natural chemicals normally bind.(Brain chemical-Anandamide; Drug- THC) THC is similar to brain chemical, it allows drugs to be recognized by the body and to alter normal brain communication. Endocannaboid system plays a role in normal brain development and function. They cluster in brain areas that influence pleasure,memory, thinking, concentration, movenment, coordination, and sensory and time perception. What's the difference between medical and "street" marijuana? There is no difference between "Medical grade" and "street" marijuana. The marijuana sold in dispensaries as medicine is the same quality and carries the same health risks as marijuana sold in the street. It's time to make a new change for the youth of Belize because they are destroying their own lifes and they are not living the they should be. My fellow Belizeans only way is by asking and praying to Lord in Heaven to help the youth and others to realized what the country is becoming a disastrous envirnment for the new born babies just because of the "MARIJUANA".
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with you Adriany, yes I like your points on marijuana. GOB should not pass any laws to legalize or decriminalize. Yes our environment is already in a disastrous state. Aren’t they thinking about our children future? Don’t they care about our society? Those who want to use let them go ahead and destroy their health and for those who don’t use it don’t need to worry about our brain being affected. We all need to have people with sense who are thinking to move this country forward.That means we will be having more mentally ill people on the street of Belize.GOB take a vote.
DeleteIn case of cannabis, more debate has been devoted to the question of whether or not simple possession of cannabis should be treated severely. For example with possible jail terms or more leniently. In the case of treating cannabis possession as a slight or ticketable offence; which largely consists of levelling a small fine. Most countries treat cannabis possession as a criminal offence in that persons convicted of simple cannabis possession; are subjected to serve approximately five years in prison. Moreover, the government of Belize should not past laws to decriminalized marijuana for several reasons. As we know marijuana is a green, brown or grey mixture of dried shredded leaves, and flowers of hemp plant; which serves for several purposes. For example for medicinal purpose, it is believe that it helps asthma patients with their breathing.
ReplyDeleteHowever decriminalization of certain drug offences meant that instead of being faced with a possible jail term when caught with small quantities of marijuana; the penalties for a person charged with possession consisted of a small or otherwise fairly modest fine. Also a charge of possession in a state that had decriminalized marijuana generally would not lead to arrest, fingerprinting, jailing or any punishment and procedures applied to persons charged with a criminal offence. This can have a negative impact on our society especially for our developing youths that are growing up. In the sense that people would take the laws lightly and eventually would not abide by the rules. Decriminalizing marijuana allows a person to have 10 grams of marijuana that is equivalent to 10 sticks of weed. If the government decriminalize marijuana people would use the opportunity to smoke more and abuse it. For our country this is risky because it can affect the health of other and our surroundings. People who suffers from breathing problems would be severely affected by weed smokers. If people complains about smoking, it would be useless. In the sense that it would be okay to have a certain amount of weed and to smoke freely.
In addition, decriminalizing marijuana can increase the risk of getting cancer. Over a period of time constant use of marijuana block the passage canal for your lungs to breath properly. People finds marijuana as a means of relaxation and comfort; but in the end it can cause long term side effects such as getting lung cancer. In Belize it is believe a lot of weed smoker tends to develop lung cancer over a period of time ;that risk their health and eventually losing their lives.
Finally, parents are worried what would happen to our country if the government decriminalize marijuana. In the sense that it can increase the crime rate; causing our youths to get into problems with the law. Marijuana can have a negative impact in their wellbeing and proper functioning. Constant use of marijuana doesn’t allow a person to think and function properly. It affects them mentally and emotionally and stimulates a strong addiction for the drug; especially if it’s not available within their possession. Constant use also makes a person becomes violent and get into a rage of temper. The reason is because they like the feeling of getting high in a trance state. At this stage weed smokers would do any and everything to get their marijuana, even if they have to steal to get it. Hence the reason the government of Belize should think twice to past a law to decriminalize marijuana in Belize, because it will have a negative impact on our society and it can get out of hand.
The government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana because it affects people on a daily life including the heart and lungs, which means that it affects the health of the person using it. Also we have to consider the future of our country. If they decriminalize marijuana it could be smoked in public especially around the children, this can damage their health. We must consider the health of others and second hand is much worst. We must take in consideration that even if it is decriminalized or not, it will be abused but it can be much worst once it is decriminalized. The cannabis plant can be used for medication to relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea and to stimulate appetite. Others just use it to get high but what they do not know is that the THC affects the brain that produces many effects.
ReplyDeleteIn my research it says that “THC acts upon specific sites in the brain, called cannabinoid receptors, kicking off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the "high" that users experience when they smoke marijuana. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have few or none. The highest density of cannabinoid receptors is found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentrating, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement”. They will also have problem solving problems, learning or will not be able to remember anything at some point. This happens to people who use it on a daily bases. Using it can allow you to lose control of yourself and it leads them to do criminal act. We must consider not only how it will affect the user but the people that surrounds them. we must consider our future generation.
I agree with you Marlessi when you said that marijuana affects the health of an individual who is using it. As well as when you said that if marijuana was decriminalize people would start smoking in public in front of young children which would affect their health. Also if young teens and even children see others smoking in public they will want to try it for fun to experiment not knowing the consequences it will have on their health. However it is up to an individual personal choice to decide whether or not to smoke marijuana. Therefore I agree with you, Marlessi that the government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana.
DeleteThey are various reasons why the government of Belize should/should not decriminalize of legalize marijuana. However,one must first look at what is decriminalization and what is legalization. Decriminalization is a very confusing term but, refers to reducing and reclassifying the penalties for the possession or usage of marijuana. While legalization is the process of certifying something so that it will be recognize by the law.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, whether the government wants to either decriminalize or legalize marijuana many problems may arise. The decriminalization of marijuana will pose serious threats on the younger generation, this is because teenagers are vulnerable human being and are easily persuade to do what is wrong. It allows for more persons to be curious and try it,allows for more customers to illicit drug trade in Belize and also it is very addictive. An addiction can lead to serious mental and physical disabilities,affects an adolescent brain, which can lead to poor academic performance, allows for the user to becomes violent and this may lead to them using more powerful and stronger drugs. These are just effects on the person using it, how about the people around them. For example,the parents friends or teachers,all these person are affected. Since these persons connects back to the person using marijuana,everyone is someone else child. so the government should really take in to consideration what the decriminalization of marijuana can to do to our society and not focus on why other countries have done because Belize is different from other well develop countries like Canada.
On the contrary , they are maybe the minorities, who have the power and feel that the government should decriminalize. this is said because many educated persons use marijuana, it may stimulate the economy since its a natural resource and will never become boring and it can create a new series of jobs which will help the economy. These may help the economy in some ways but the question is for how long will it help the economy when all Belizeans know that most plans taken by the government never really excel for long term purposes, because they lack planning and decision making skills.
in conclusion, no matter the amount of reasons why marijuana shouldn't be decriminalize the government will always have the last word and decide what is best for them and will benefit themselves.
I agree with you concerning the governments attitude.No matter how much we agree or not with legalizing and decriminalizing Marijuana at the end the government always makes a choice which will be convenient for them.So its best to leave it on whatever they are to do, I don't smoke marijuana and illegal or not i won't do it.
DeleteWhen considering if the government of Belize should decriminalize marijuana we must first look at the pros and cons of the decriminalization of Marijuana. In this case, the cons outweigh the pros; therefore I personal believe that the government of Belize should NOT decriminalize marijuana, because it would do more harm than good. Although marijuana has medical benefits for diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and glaucoma, people will this find ways to abuse it for other purposes such as personal pleasure. I believe that if marijuana was decriminalized there should be a law that states that it should only be used if it is prescribe by a doctor, but this would also generate a negative effect because in today’s world anyone can get a fake doctor’s prescription that looks legit or just pay some corrupted doctor to get one. Although many people will say that marijuana is not as harmful as alcohol which is legal, it does have harmful effects to an individual health, especially the brain and not only theirs but also anyone who is around a person who is smoking marijuana. It is a fact that second hand smoke is more harmful than first hand smoke.
ReplyDeleteWe should not decriminalize marijuana because we must also consider the future of our country. What will happen if we decriminalize marijuana? Many of our teenagers will want to experiment if marijuana was decriminalized. They will want to try it to see for themselves how it feels, but what these poor young teenagers don’t know is that marijuana does affect their health especially the brain. They may experiences impaired coordination, and also difficulty with problem solving, not only that, who knows what else? Because their body are just developing they may become addictive to marijuana. Thus I do not support the decriminalization of marijuana.
that is true Tania but not only does it affect the brain but it affects the heart and the longs. marijuana increase the pressure of the heart beat. once the body gets us to the consistency of the heart beat it will be difficult to stop using it because the person who uses it becomes addicted. their are limited people who use marijuana for medical purpose but the majority just use it because they like the way it makes them for or because they where pressured into it and perhaps liked it as well. it is best to not decriminalize marijuana because it can also cause criminal act from the users who lose control of themselves. why make Belize a worst place than it is now. what needs to be done is that they legalize it and enforce the law regardless if they are your friend or because they paid you. law has been broken so do not corrupt the law. make Belize a safe and a better place for our future generation.
DeleteI "STRONGLY" agree withe when you say"government of Belize should NOT decriminalize marijuana, because it would do more harm than good. Although marijuana has medical benefits for diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and glaucoma, people will this find ways to abuse it for other purposes such as personal pleasure. I believe that if marijuana was decriminalized there should be a law that states that it should only be used if it is prescribe by a doctor, but this would also generate a negative effect because in today’s world anyone can get a fake doctor’s prescription that looks legit or just pay some corrupted doctor to get one"
DeleteBecause in todays socity it's who you know and your money that plays a big part.
That's what people keep saying oh it is good for our health. yes it may benefit you in some way but in the longer run it has side effects.
DeleteI agree with you Tania, I also believe that Marijuana has good and bad effects on us, humans. However, it is harmful for our brain. Many people intake this drug for pleasure and relief.It is important for medical benefits, yet harmful for our well being.
DeleteI strongly agree that the government of Belize should decriminalize cannabis sativa (commonly known as marijuana.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana, often called ganja, pot, herb, skunk or MJ is a greenish- gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, it is derived from the flower “cannabis sativa” the hemp plant. This drug is usually used for smoking.
Decriminalization simply treats small amounts of weed as a civil offense rather than a criminal offence. I don’t believe that people found with small amounts of marijuana should be charged with a criminal offence but should be given a citation and the drug should be confiscated, but I do believe that if someone is caught with more than ten (10) grams of cannabis he or she SHOULD be arrested and be taken to court to face the consequences. Moreover marijuana is not as harmful as ecstasy, heroin or even cocaine! There are a lot of medicinal benefits that are associated with marijuana; it is proven that marijuana relieves chronic pain. Some parts of the USA have already legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Research has shown that marijuana treats severe depression, manic depression, chronic pain and arthritis. All in all I believe marijuana should be decriminalized.
i don't agree with the comment of how you don't thing people with small amount of weed shouldn't be charged. i think they should be charge because its the little amount of things that lead people to do the biggest things. so i think they should be locked up for at least 6 months.
Deletemarijuana may have a lot of medical benefits but it also have its negative effects that really harms the brain and as a result affects the way weed smokers behave. the 10 grams of weed might be small but eventually they will consume more of the drug and can become addicted to it.
DeleteI believe that the government of Belize should decriminalize marijuana. Why? because it will cause less violence in our community because the males and females who will be using will be felling relax knowing that the police wont harass them for using it. And even if they don't decriminalize it that wont stop anyone from using it. Furthermore some doctors consider marijuana as a medical use for AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, nausea resulting from chemotherapy, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, epilepsy, insomnia, migraines, arthritis and lack of appetite. Doctors have also used medical marijuana on terminally ill patients, as a way to alleviate some of their pain and improve their overall quality of life.so to some it up marijuana should be decriminalize because it help s some people when sick and it brings pleasure to others.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana may cause some side effects but that's nothing to worry about it helps you think about things in different ways and you can easily understand others in a logical way.But our government of Belize doesn't see it in that way they think that all it is use for are the gang bangers who doesn't have much to to in their life or for someone to make money in the ghetto. And I know that some politicians uses marijuana for recreational purposes. So the government should decriminalize marijuana and let others feel at ease when they need to take a blunt to get relaxed
I doo agree with this statement "some doctors consider marijuana as a medical use for AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, nausea resulting from chemotherapy, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, epilepsy, insomnia, migraines, arthritis and lack of appetite and that Doctors have also used medical marijuana on terminally ill patients, as a way to alleviate some of their pain and improve their overall quality of life". but i dont think the goverment should decriminalize it because not all Belizeans are docters so thay wont know how to use the drug as a treatment they will over use it.Also when you say that this only causes some side effect that is nothing to worry about it is simpley false. stated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Deleteon a document title "Marijuana smoking safety, danger, medicinal uses by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Benefit and health risk"
Marijuana has short term and long terms effects.Short ter seffects such as memory and learning problems, distorted perception, and difficulty thinking and solving problems.The Long term side effects are lung disease, chronic cough, mucus, nasal congestion, lack of motivation, decrease in sexual desire, a few extra pounds, and potentially various types cancer.
i do agree because it is a medicine use regularly especially for asthma. atleast i can say that it is far way better than cigerrate we no smoking a lot of cigerate leads up to cancer. while the marijuana is a medical use for cancer.however,once if it is not legalize it will still be the same not a thing will change people in society will not find it affective they are still using it like if it is legal.
DeleteHi Racquel,
DeleteI do agree that marijuana is used for many illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, nausea and many others. However smoking marijuana has many side effects. So why cure you illness when you are at risk for decease. If the decriminalization law for marijuana is passes then Belize will have many other crimes and it won’t be safe even though in present we have crime. It’s not a positively impacting our country in any way. We need to legalize other types of penalties such as the death penalty, instead of wasting our time on the legalization of marijuana.
Sincerely Yours,
Marcelina Geban
I do agree with the death penalty i haven't thought about that, but now that you state it thats a great idea, so many murders wouldn't be left unsolved anymore.I said legalizing or dicriminalizing it would make no difference because people would still consume it anyway.But in your point of view about legalizing it, it is a waste of time and I am in total agreement with you.
DeleteSorry Lenny, I don't agree with you in decriminalizing marijuana, for medical purposes. Belize doesn't have the facilities in place for isolating the specific compounds necessary to turn marijuana into medicine. Medical Marijuana is still illegal in many countries, and those that do allow it's use for medical purposes provide only specific low doses to patients. The smoking of it is NOT recommended for treatment of any disease condition, although it mitigates nausea, appetite loss and pain, smoking has more dangerous side effects and risks (lung cancer, lung tissue damage, memory loss, loss of intelligence, birth defects, etc...) The harmful effects far outweigh the little help that it might provide.
DeleteI strongly agree with Leniqua because legalization would involve the removal of legal penalties, although regulations and rules about production and distribution could still be developed and put into effect.
DeleteDecriminalization means that a specific activity (such as the possession of a small amount of marijuana) would be removed from the scope of the criminal courts, but would still be against the law. With decriminalization, the user would be prosecuted differently and an “alternative penalty”, such as a fine, would be the consequence. By fiwebelize(http://fiwebelize.com/2012/07/17/decriminalizing-the-weed-in-belize/)
ReplyDeleteRecently, the Government of Belize has placed it into the law that any person found with 10 grammes of marijuana or less will not be locked up or charged. In other words, it is now legal to carry or possess 10 grammes of marijuana or less. The Government of Belize are even thinking about the ever so controversial topic decriminalization of marijuana on a whole. If marijuana is legalized all hell will break loose in the country of Belize. Marijuana is illegal still and yet many young boys and men puff their “weed” as it is commonly called in public places not caring if you are affected by the smoke or not, not caring if little children are around or not. Imagine if marijuana were to be made legal, the situation would worsen. They would want to go and smoke the marijuana on school compounds, at the work site. This is just not right. I strongly believe that the Government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana.
Firstly, marijuana is an addictive drug and if the Government of Belize decides to decriminalize it, people will use it more openly and more frequently. Because the people will think they have freedom to smoke marijuana more, this will result in an addiction. In layman’s terms, there will be many “weed heads” walking around Belize.
Secondly, marijuana is linked to poor academic performance as marijuana kills brain cells. Some students smoke marijuana and if it is decriminalize they will do so more frequently. This will cause them to do poorly in school. Belize’s education system is already arguably in a dilapidated state. Are we willing to sacrifice the academic performance of the students of Belize?
Thirdly, a researched was carried out in the United States and it proved that there was a correlation between smoking marijuana and gang activities and carrying gun. This means that those people who smoke marijuana are more likely to get involved in these social ills. This is the most important reason why marijuana should not be decriminalized. The murder rate in Belize has sky rocketed. Other criminal activities such as robbery and home invasion have also become common. Gang activities is at the worst it’s ever been in Belize’s history. All this is happening and marijuana is illegal. Imagine what will happen if marijuana becomes decriminalized. The “streets”, the crime rate will worsen.
Marijuana in no quantity should not be decriminalized. Marijuana is addictive, it causes poor academic performance and the use of marijuana is linked to gun activities and the use of guns. The Government should target the use of marijuana from the start. To lower the amount of people who are locked up for marijuana, the Government of Belize should implement prevention programs warning people of the dangers of marijuana instead of allowing those with a small amount of marijuana (10 grammes) to walk free. Belize is already facing many problems; decriminalizing marijuana will only add another.
In my personal opinion the government should pass the law of decriminalize marijuana.why? because the use of marijuana is not only a drug it is also a medicine for instance asthma, most people beliefe they use marijuana to get thier own personal satisfacetion it reliefe the pain and stress of individuals.the drug does have it's effect because it has in all types of substance.therefore, it doesn't matter if the government pass the law or not because the usage of the drug will get more stronger.
ReplyDeletefinally,the use of marijuana is an everyday living for most individuals.if more jobs are provided people will not have to sell the drug,that is a way how they put food on the table.if the government does not legalize marijuana it will still not prove a point because weather if the law pass or not people will still use thier marijuana how they want and when they want.moreover, both adults and teenegers will use marijauna to thier own capacity so really won't make a difference if the legalization process come through or not.
Hi Khidejah,
DeleteYour opinion no one can change, is you own personal feelings however, yes marijuana is good for asthma but they are many other side effects that you can face when you use marijuana such as cancer, it can harm your respiration system, immune system, reproductive system, adrenal hormones, growth of hormone and cognitive function. Yes I do know that the people are using marijuana already but if the decriminalization law is pass its saying to the people that they can use the drugs whenever and however they want. We need to say no to the decriminalization or not Belize will get worst. We wouldn’t want that to happen?
Sincerely Yours,
Marcelina Geban
do agree with you khidejah Marijuana is a lousy drug but can be a great medication. The same applies to most medications. Drugs can be used for medicinal purposes and/or abused in order to alter mood and run away from life.
DeleteI don't agree with Khidejah. we should consider the effects of Marijuana not only rely on the good side of it. it should not be legalize because everybody will have the right to obtain 10 grams of marijuana. so, they will not used it as a medicine but i agree that it cure some disease so i believe it should be sold at a pharmacy and for people that really need it but i believe u need to have a doctor paper to do so..
DeleteI agree with Khidejah because decriminalization does not increase the economic opportunity for those in need, legalization can and also, marijuana has proven medical benefits for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other patients.
DeleteI strongly agree with khidejah for the legalization of marijuana.Marijuana is infact a great medication that helps many sickness. The government says that they want to decrease poverty, then why not through the use of selling marijuana. Many families have food on their table due to the selling of marijuana.
DeleteThe Government of Belize should not pass the law of decriminalization of marijuana in Belize because the number of crimes will increase in Belize tremendously such as rape, robbery, violent crimes, murders and aggravated assaults. They are many names for marijuana; they are also called pot, weed, dope, herb and cannabis. Also these marijuana users may want to try heroin, ecstasy and other hard drugs and then, will the Government make those other drugs legal in Belize? If the law of decriminalization of marijuana is passed then many teenagers and adults who are not aware of the side effects will be using marijuana. They will face the many effects for using marijuana such as their respiration system, laryngitis, hoarseness, coughing, immune system, reproductive system, adrenal hormones, growth of hormones and cognitive functions. Around where I like there are a lot of boys on these back roads selling marijuana and they are also smoking it. It’s not legal as yet in Belize so imagine when the legalization law is passed what more will happen?
ReplyDeleteThese are signs of marijuana users’ rapid heart rate which may lead to heart attack if you have weak heart, red eyes they look like killers, appetite to eat. Yes marijuana has benefits such as controlling nausea, vomiting, advance cancer, AIDs and appetite. The doctors of Belize has many others ways to treat those effects. Marijuana is not the way to treat those effects because using marijuana will also give you side effects. If the decriminalization law of marijuana is passes persons will be smoking marijuana any where they want as long as they are 18 years and then the younger generation will grow up seeing this and will say its okay to smoke marijuana because it’s legal. Our future generation needs a change but not a change for the worse a change for a better Belize and that’s drugs free. So say no to drugs Belize and we will live a healthy life style.
i strongly agree with Marcelina. That is so true about the increasing of violence. However, the GOB will not be able to do any action against Marijuana again because violence on streets will be so high. we can see the high rate of violence here at Belize. Just imagine if GOB legalize Marijuana. Say no to Drugs.
DeleteDecriminalization is a very controversial topic in Belize. They are many good arguments both
ReplyDeletefor and against decriminalization of marijuana. But most important is that all these arguments are
based on facts. John Stuart Mill quotes “the only way in which a human being can make some
approach to knowing the whole of any subject is by hearing what can be said about it by person
of every variety of opinion and by studying all made in which it can be looked at by every
character of mind. No wise man can ever acquire his wisdom in any mode but this.”
The misuse of drugs act chapter 103, the act that successfully made marijuana illegal in Belize
was base on the fact that marijuana increase violent crime. Decriminalized is different from
legalization is to make something legal, as in the use of marijuana decimalization reduces and
reclassifies the penalties for marijuana use.( Both give power to the state)
The current states of affairs ask the question “is Belize prepared for the decriminalization of
marijuana?’ I dare to concur that Belize is unprepared. For the decriminalization of marijuana.
The proper policies as well as the facilities and physical resources need to be implemented
(NDACC) argues that functions of drug prevention, rehab and treatment, research and informa-
tion legal reform and public education. But a major concern is rehabilitation and treatment in that
eventually decriminalization of marijuana will result in an escalation of both supply and demand,
there currently exist no policy on how the government of Belize will regulate and control it.
The obvious outcome of such escalation is that cases of addiction will rise. The country currently
has only (3) government rehabilitation centers. They are only (6) outreach officers country wide
consequently leaving one single person to do referrals to the rehabilitation centers and follow- up
for that entire district. Doesn’t this seem terribly inadequate as is and would prove to be useless
in the face of mass escalation of addiction cases whereas it can be stated that our country is not
prepared tor decriminalization of marijuana.
There are many people being arrested for having marijuana in their possession every day. They are then taken to the cells in the local police station and wait to be taken to court. In court they are then tried over and over and end up either let free with minimum or with no charge at all. There are many pros and cons of decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in Belize.
ReplyDeleteLegalization means that possession and use of marijuana will be allowed in Belize while decriminalization means that all laws that punish the use and possession of marijuana will be dropped.
If Belize legalizes marijuana, it will allow the users of marijuana to be high when they want to and this may lead to a serious addiction. People who are addicted to drugs such as marijuana will do almost anything to get the drug when it is not readily available to them. This may lead to serious crimes committed to get money in order to get this drug. I 100% disagree with Belize’s choice of legalizing the use and possession of marijuana. Even though people might say that when people are caught with little amounts of marijuana they are arrested and locked up but most of the time get released because of lack of evidence and proof; but I strongly believe that the system would rather deal with those “pity” cases rather than the robberies, burglaries and murders that are happening due to the use of marijuana.
The point of decriminalizing marijuana is mind blowing. To think that the country is considering to drop all legal punishment against the use and possession of marijuana if caught, puts the country in a state, to me, of ‘we don’t care’. Yes, marijuana may be used for medicinal purposes but you don’t see people mincing Tylenol tablets into powder and sniffing it. If the country wants to use marijuana for medicinal purposes then they should be issued with a prescription. From this, one can draw the conclusion that I strongly disagree with the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in Belize, not only because of the criminal effects but also the mental effects that it brings to one.
Shereen Webster yes marijuana is a drug but then, i don't believe that these killing and other crimes are causes of this drug, and even if the govenrment try to decriminalize marijuana, they will surely fail. Marijuana have been in the world from the beginning and there is no way of putting a stop to it now. There are families who have been getting their daily income and living off this drug to eat and provide for their love ones. If they try to put a stop to it then surely crime and violence will increase. Look on the bright side those who want to use it will still use it if the government try to stop it they will surely fail.
DeleteI agree with Shereen because the drug is really being abused. You have a good point there Shereen. This will only cause more problems in our society if this drug i legalize.
DeleteHi Shereen,
DeleteI agree with you when you say that the people who used marijuana will almost do anything to get the drugs when it is not available to them. I also agree if people want to use marijuana as medicinal purposes. T hey should have a valid prescription from a doctor. I also agree with the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize because we will live a healthier and drug free life.
I agree with you Sher. This is totally wrong marijuana should not be legalized nor decriminalized nor anything it should be banned completely from our country.
DeleteMarijuana should be legalize in Belize, most of the deaths that are happening today is not cause by the use of this drug. People who smoke marijuana most times just want to sit back and relax. Murder is topping the chart when it comes to the most deaths. The Karl Husuner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) states that “each year more than 2,000 Belizean die of alcohol-related causes; also at cancer.org it say that “smoking tobacco is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths; this equals about 443,000 early deaths each year.” So therefore marijuana is not the main cause of killing in the world today. There are limited cases in which people have been report to die from marijuana use; yet there is so much law still trying to keep this natural growing product away from society.
ReplyDeleteThe people suffering from glaucoma, asthma and spasticity have been found to have benefited from the consumption of marijuana. In today’s world the use of marijuana is common, there are so much young and old people using it; some of these individual grow up on this drug and is still here without any lung cancer, so if the government Legalize it or Not the police will still have a hard time trying to stop this drug from spreading any further. Belize has a lot of farming land and therefore the government cannot finance the police to do air patrol each day over these territories. I think the government should issue a license to all the individuals who want to farm this product; then a percentage of the income should be given to the government in return. Also any person under the age of 18 who is caught using or selling this drug should be charged a fine, and places to do so much hours of community service for the country. Once again the legalization of marijuana should be passed.
i agree with Rodwell Guerra 100%.
Deletei totally agree with you rodwell
Deletemarihuana contains an amazing chemical, beta-caryophyllene, and scientists have thoroughly proven that it could be used to treat pain, inflammation, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis.
I also agree with you Rodwell, The government should pay more attention to Gang violence and related crimes.
Deletei believe it should be legalize, In others words it doesn't means that you should be able to walk down the street and smoke a joint as you wish. That will still be illegal, it's like alcohol, you can drink it in a bar and you can drink it under certain control circumstances. There is something called public drinking - you really ought not to be walking down the street with a beer in your hand or rum and coke and drinking it, so it's still illegal under certain circumstances or with rum and coke and drinking it. So it's still illegal under certain circumstances."
ReplyDelete"The proposal is that it be the same circumstances with this small portion of marijuana. There is a distinction between legalization and decriminalization; legalization means that no penalty is adhered under certain circumstances, in other words if you are caught with a small quantity perhaps no penalty will be adhered to it. Legalization doesn't mean that; it means that it is still illegal, it's just like driving without a driver's license or with an expired driver's license is illegal but didn't take you to jail for doing that. What we want to do is to ensure that we can deal with the infraction responsibly, so it's not going to be illegal, it's just that the penalties for that small portion will be different from what it currently is."
The decriminalization of marijuana is an interesting topic being discussed as we speak. In my belief marijuana should be decriminalized. I believe that the Government of Belize could actually benefit from this. Belize can export marijuana to many countries that use cannabis as medicine. Doing this we will see a boost in our GDP.
ReplyDeleteNowadays even police in Belize from college students to police men are selling marijuana. So there is no way to stop the selling of weed. We could turn this into a legal system. Let seller pay for license to sell weed. And also put a tax rate on the weed because no matter what people are always going to use marijuana whether it is legalized, decriminalized or not .
i totally agree with this because they are a lot of sick people that use marijuana as healing and medicine. and it is so true about the police and the students because a lot of the college students and high school students smoke and distribute marijuana. i guess its their side hustle as they say. " you got to make the money one way or the other."
DeleteI strongly disagree with Citon. Have you ever thought about the chaos it will cause for the government of Belize to issue a license to sell weed? I don't think Belize can benefit from the exporting of marijuana because individuals in other countries can plant and grow their own they wouldn't need to import any.
DeleteYou list some strong points that I hadn't even think about, I agree with you. Exporting marijuana can be very beneficial to our economy by causing economy growth.
Deletei disagree with Citon thoughts about this controversy. legalizing this drug in Belize of all places will do a lot more harm than good to the citizens. there will be a lot more crimes and killing off of this drugs than ever in Belize. do we really need a reason for a spike in the crime and killing rate in Belize?
Deleteso i disagree with this statement.
I strongly disagree that Government of Belize should not legalize or decriminalize marijuana. According to my research there are about 400 chemical compounds in an average cannabis plant. The four main compounds are called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), cannabidiol, delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol. Apart from cannabidiol (CBD), these compounds are psychoactive, the strongest one being delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The stronger varieties of the plant contain little cannabidiol (CBD), whilst the delta-9-THC content is a lot higher.
ReplyDeleteWe as must consider the effect of marijuana in long terms and short terms as well. The chemicals mention above are the one that makes the most effects in your body. These chemical give you the high as well as the buzz as we Belizean called it. Including, it bring mental effect to the consumer. We must consider the high rate of violence that happen in Belize as every day passed by. What would happen if the GOB legalizes Marijuana? What will happen to our students? This legalization of marijuana should not happen because everybody will be exposed to it. However street gangs will fight each other because they will want to sell Marijuana on streets. In addition, the rate of violence on street will rise up instantly letting our beautiful Belize more dangerous.
I definitely disagree for the Barrow Administration to legalize marijuana in Belize. Many say that it is a medicine, maybe it is. But we must also look at the fact that it also has many harmful elements in it. Marijuana is like sheep in wolf’s clothing, giving people a good feeling for the moment, but making them foolish. I have never taking any marijuana, but I live and see the effects that it does to a person. I give marijuana the front seat for the many crime and violence that is taking over our country. Marijuana damages the brain, causing the smoker to not see for themselves that they are killing their brain cells, causing them to not be motivated to doing anything good for themselves. I have a nephew who was introduced to marijuana, from then on he has stopped school, and is just hanging out, drinking and smoking his life away, and after getting his high, he would come home and eat out the kitchen, but don’t want to work. Tell me what good has marijuana done to him?
ReplyDeleteAccording to researches, like Jacques- Joseph Moreau, marijuana has harmful effects causing harmful functions to the central nervous system and hinders the memory and movement of the user’s brain. It is also found out marijuana smoke is 3 times more harmful than tobacco smoke. Marijuana should be decriminalized. Our country is in a lot of trouble already. Imagine what it will be with the poison being given free to our children. As a teacher I have seeing many students, especially boys, who see and are influenced by marijuana, who are not as focused as others who come from a well discipline home. I see many of those boys now hanging out on the streets, causing trouble at home and to society. So please, don’t legalize it, instead get stricker towards its use.
I dont see the big issue about marijuana being legalized. There are many other things like cigarrette and alcohol. So why don't the government make alcohol illegal if they so much care about the people. Marijuana is something that should be left as a personal choice, if you want to smoke it thats your business.Having it illegal or legalized doesnt make a difference people will still smoke it if they want to, not even the authorities have stopped them as yet so...? People claim that marijuana is effective at relieving nausea and vomiting, especially caused by chemotherapy used to treat cancer, it can also relieve muscle spasm that is sometimes associated with multiple sclerosis and paralysis. Marijuana can help treat apetite loss associated with thos persons who have HIV/AIDS or certain types of cancer etc. Studies also claim that it is safer than most other prescribed medications to treat the same symptoms I mentioned above. They say smoking marijuana alone without the use of tobacco does not increase the risk of lung disease.Never the less how true all of this is I don't know because even if its legal or not I won't consume it. It's a drug no matter how relieving it is, so its all up to the individual choice. I believe the government should legalize it because having it illegal it just makes it more expensive, people will still continue using it whether or not the government likes it.And in legalizing marijuana the government will stop justifying the billions of dollars spent to enforce the laws against marijuana.
ReplyDeleteNow when it comes to decriminalizing Marijuuan I stick to the same point leave it to the individuals choice. Let them destroy their life if they want to. That just prooves that they have no ambitions in life. I believe government should decriminalize it and help the country because it will be very helpful economically.Reduction of income earned by organized crime, reduction of subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs,if people claim that it produces positive health effect on certain illnesses well let them use it.Reduction in prison of over crowded persons.Fully decriminalizing Cannabis can largely decrease financial gains earned by gangs in black market cannabis sales and trafficking.all this would benefit the country a lot if only the government would stop thinking of his own pocket. So legalize and Decriminalize Marijuana, every act, every consequence is left to the individuals choice.
i agree that people have a right to smoke what they want does'n t matter if it marijuana and i just think the the government should legalize it and done.
DeleteThe Sanpedrosun press release defines decriminalization as 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.
ReplyDeleteAs a student I strongly disapprove of the proposal to decriminalize marijuana because this will now allow the human population that consume these things to take advantages of it. In addition, the students who do these things will feel like it is okay to take drugs to school and do what they have to do. To know that there isn't imprisonment for the given amount (10 grams), people will always want to have it on them. In consuming marijuana at a young age as well, it will affect their learning ability. It also has a negative impact on the body, whether it destroys the brains, lungs or heart which may lead to cancer, or heart failure. Moreover, the crime rate, this is especially a major problem in Belize because every time someone is dying. Now if this is legalized people would want to kill for what they can gain from the weed plantation. With risk of marijuana usage the death rate will raise while the birth rate will fall, which may affect the world because then you will not have sufficient people to help build the nation. I would recommend that the Government consider what they are doing. Questions like: What about the future? Is it safe for them? What about the present generation, how will they benefit in learning? And is it for my own self gain?
I agree a 100% with you chinyere very interesting points.The government of Belize should consider what it will do to the future of our country.
Deletei totally agree with chinyere in the fact that i don't think the law of marijuana smokers will not be charged if 10 grams of marijuana is on them. this just give them an advantage and makes them feel like its ok for them to do what they want.
DeleteI definitely disagree for the Barrow Administration to legalize marijuana in Belize. Many say that it is a medicine, maybe it is. But we must also look at the fact that it also has many harmful elements in it. Marijuana is like sheep in wolf’s clothing, giving people a good feeling for the moment, but making them foolish. I have never taking any marijuana, but I live and see the effects that it does to a person. I give marijuana the front seat for the many crime and violence that is taking over our country. Marijuana damages the brain, causing the smoker to not see for themselves that they are killing their brain cells, causing them to not be motivated to doing anything good for themselves. I have a nephew who was introduced to marijuana, from then on he has stopped school, and is just hanging out, drinking and smoking his life away, and after getting his high, he would come home and eat out the kitchen, but don’t want to work. Tell me what good has marijuana done to him?
ReplyDeleteAccording to researches, like Jacques- Joseph Moreau, marijuana has harmful effects causing harmful functions to the central nervous system and hinders the memory and movement of the user’s brain. It is also found out marijuana smoke is 3 times more harmful than tobacco smoke. Marijuana should be decriminalized. Our country is in a lot of trouble already. Imagine what it will be with the poison being given free to our children. As a teacher I have seeing many students, especially boys, who see and are influenced by marijuana, who are not as focused as others who come from a well discipline home. I see many of those boys now hanging out on the streets, causing trouble at home and to society. So please, don’t legalize it, instead get stricker towards its use.
I totally agree on what you just explain to us. Marijuana should not be llegalized. Comsumers have negative effects on their lives, and once they take it they become addicted. I know various people that take marijuana as a habbit. I see them all day, everyday consuming and selling it to people. However, what my opinion is that the Government should penalized those people that sells marijuana.
DeleteI support you Ms. Miriam with that statement.It should not be Legalize at all.. Like what you mention is a perfect example, would we want the same thing happen to so many other younger Belizean children if this law would be approved.Being addicted to this drugs would not in most cases have a set future for any individual. We must put a stop to this now; by not agreeing with the legalization of marijuana.We must instill in our mind to uplift society by doing the right thing, and motivating the younger generation, for they are the ones who has the future in there hands. The one who would turn out being Lawyers, ministers, and even famous philosophers.how could we possibly see a brighter future with Marijuana Legalization.
DeleteMarijuana is a terrible factor that not only affects the country of Belize but all around the world. This factor change people who use this drugs life and the lives of others. Marijuana not only changes their live but also influences them to take the lives of others. In my society today marijuana is a very common case. Marijuana smokers cannot be stopped from smoking the drugs. Marijuana cannot be only band from entering the country because it is our country that I growing, producing and distributing this drug. Now, the Government of Belize is passing on a law that it is now ok for a person to be caught with a stick of weed on them. Now, that law is totally bogus.
ReplyDeleteThe Government of Belize really need to open their eye now because that law is really out of order. Passing on that law to me states that if its ok to have a stick of weed on you well its ok to kill, its ok to rape, and its ok to steal. I to a fact know that the marijuana smoker were so happy when they heard about that. Come on people. Do you really think its ok for them have weed on them? If you thinks so well in my opinion you also it ok for them to continue committing crime.
Shantea Grant i 100% agree with you and it shows that you really care about our country Belize. yes its a fact that smokers are happy about this because to their point its ok for them because they dont have any thing to think about and could even go to the extreem in stating that they dont have anything to live for since they are drug addicts. We dont want to see our children walking with drugs right or worst smoking it because we want a good future for every civilians in our country. I also agree that passing this law would be raising the crime rate, rape rate and all violence aspects.It shows that you care about the future of the country.
DeleteThe government of Belize shouldn't pass a law to decriminalize marijuana. People will abuse the law in whatever ways they could. Although it is just decriminalizing and not legalizing persons will smoke in plain view in public not concerned who is watching them. What law do we need to understand and know that legalizing marijuana is going to cause chaos and destruction in our little Belize. Come on people we need to realize what is going to happen in the future of our country if such laws are passed. Even though it can be beneficial to some people medical wise, it is misused by others in different ways.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana will have a negative effect on the younger generation equally so with the present generation due to the fact that it will come across to them as a habit for them to do drugs. It will cause a big fuss with the sellers of marijuana. This will cause a lot of crimes because people will become needier in the aspect of money to buy drugs so they would do whatever it takes.
Yes Jenell Ortiz your right. People will always cheat the system. By decriminalizing marijuana this will only make things worst in our small country.
DeleteI strongly disagree with the legalization of marijuana. Even though marijuana is a drug that can be used as a medication to ease pain and help to eliminate symptoms of cruel diseases, it can also be as harmful to the body if it is overused. When marijuana overused it can be very damaging to the brain and its functions. As a result of this, the brain is not able to function as it should, because the brain cells (neuron) are being harmed and hence the reason why the brain cannot function properly. Note that the main functions of neuron cells are to carry signals throughout the body. And if the brain cannot function this is exactly what leads to undesirable behaviors. Cannabinoids are the most psychoactive chemical in marijuana that has the biggest impact on the brain is known as tetrahydrocannibol, or THC. Some effects just after consuming marijuana are: increased heart rate, problems with memory, unclear perception (sights, sounds, time, touch), and trouble with thinking and problem solving.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I strongly disagree with the legalization of marijuana. We already have out of control people (murders) within our society that the officers are struggling to find, catch and handle. So if marijuana is legalized there will be more out of control people that will harm the society, influencing younger kids negatively. Then instead of the officers trying to catch (murders) they will be focusing on catching weed smokers. If marijuana is not legalized the officers would not have to worry about catching them but instead focus on improving our society and placing murders in prison. Marijuana really has a major effect on the way we behave, think, talk and see. This is therefore the reason why weed smokers act how they act and cause crime and violence in the society. They just cannot think straight!
i must agree with my friend franzia's thoughts about this situation. because the main negative reason for marijuana is the effects it has on the brain and that is the reason why people cannot think straight. all it does is mess up your brain just because you want to feel a high doesn't mean you have to kill yourself for it though.
DeleteI totally agree with you Franzia, your so right. Without order, or stability in our country damage will be made to society. Its like were asking for more and we cant even handle what we have in front of us. Our country is already in chaos with what has been taking place since this year began.By holding back the legalization of marijuana it help at some point to minimize conflicts that might arise if this law would be legal.
DeleteI Disagree with you Franzia. Your points are valuable but you are being Bias. you are focusing on the damage that marijuana makes to our society. Believe me, the legalization or to keep this drug illegal will change nothing on the availability of it. Even though this drug is illegal it is easy to access. In the other hand you are focusing on the negative effects that marijuana can make to our society. Aren;t you being Bias? Yes you are because you say that marijuana will cause many harm to others. So that means that Alcohol should be illegal too. Alcohol causes more deaths in Belize than any other drug. If we go back to statistics and research, has any death been reported because of the use of marijuana? Most certainly no. Therefore if we can consume Alcohol without any limitations, so why do we band marijuana which is less harmful to the society? In the other hand, the decriminalization of marijuana will lessen crime. Lets not be Bias. Consistency... if we band a less harmful drug, lets band All harmful drugs.
DeleteI totally agree with you Franzia Malic. The Government should not decriminalize marijuana. Our country already has a lot of social issue and by decriminalizing marijuana this will not help in any way but rather worsen the situation
DeleteThe Government of Belize should past laws to decriminalize marijuana. Firstly, marijuana is a drug. It is made from the drying of the blossoms of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. It can be used for treating certain medical conditions, mainly pain relief. Some examples are: It decreases nausea, especially for those undergoing chemotherapy treatment, it reduces pressure on eyeballs for people with Glaucoma and also it is an appetite booster.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana does have its negative effects, like other drug. Have you ever picked up a bottle of pills and didn’t see it have the side effects written on it? Or am sure you have seen several medication commercials where by the side effects are listed at the end. Therefore, just like any other drug, marijuana has its negativeness. They all do, but are they all decriminalized? No. So why is marijuana being treated differently from any other medical drug? If the Government of Belize is so worried about our health then speaking theoretically, all alcohol should be illegal and cigarettes too, because they can be bad for our health if it is abused.
The decriminalization of Marijuana would cause street crimes derived from drug disputes to be reduced.
-Jeanellie Arana
i believe that Belize should not pass the laws on legalizing marijuana in Belize. although it may be good at some aspects in Belize like every good thing in the world there is a bad side to it. marijuana can seriously hurt Belize's economy because there will be more people out on the streets high as the sky and doing more trouble than before in their right sense of mind. it also damages the body more than does good to it. especially your brain, it corrupts your thinking power after while if you abuse the use of it it kills the brain cells in your body. In fact, the marijuana of today is stronger than ever before. Drug and alcohol use can lead to many negative consequences, including bad grades, broken friendships, family problems, trouble with the law, etc. Most important, teens' brains and bodies are still developing, and substance use can interfere with their emerging independence and efforts to establish their own identity. Drug and alcohol use can change the direction of a young person's life – physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. It can weaken the ability to concentrate and retain information during a teen's peak learning years, and impair judgment leading to risky decision making that could involve sex or getting into a car with someone under the influence of drugs
ReplyDeleteso therefore i disagree with legalizing marijuana in Belize.
Hi Tyler,
DeleteI strongly agree with you when you say that the Government of Belize should not allow the decriminalization of marijuana in our beautiful country because this will lead to more crime and violence. Also marijuana use can affect growth, hormones and reproductive organs. Marijuana users may lose the trust and respect of their family and friends. Drug free is the way to be!
I do agree with you Tyler that the Government of Belize should not pass a law to legalize marijuana. Everything has its good and bad sides. In my honest opinion I believe that they are more bad than good to legalizing marijuana. It will seriously affect Belize’s economy in a bad way. On every corner people will be smoking Marijuana without care since it is legal. The smoking affects the individual, others around and the wider picture is that it will affect the ozone lawyer. Smoking marijuana has lots of negative consequences, it may not affect a person directly but trust me it does affect others.
DeleteI will strongly disagree with you all, since you are focusing in the financial status and damage drugs can do to our beautiful country. You mention that marijuana can harm our economy? Do you have any argument what so ever to back up your point? Since this is a controversial topic we must argue with facts to support our points. therefore, how can marijuana affect our economy negatively? I oppose strongly to your points. I do believe from research, economist state that if marijuana is decriminalized and moderated then the use of it will be as any ordinary produce, thus taxation will come into play! economist state that a great boost to our economy will come from taxing marijuana! you say, Drug free is the way to go, I'll leave you with this thought.. Alcohol is a drug also, So if drug Free is the way to go, why don't we all be consistent and make a movement to make alcohol an illegal substance??
DeleteTyler, i can agree with you to some extent, but teenagers will do what they want. lets be realistic here,we see many teenagers drinking alcohol and smoking weed (marijuana). Even though this drug is illegal, teenagers still find a way to get it in their hands. so i think that the Government should decriminalize it. it minimizes the amount of trouble that teens can get into and not only teens but young adults.
DeleteWell Tyler, it's decriminalization of marijuana. And when d law is passed ofcourse they will not allow anyone under the age of 18 to use d drug. And even it they don't decrmininalize it people will still use it as they are doing so know that won't change anything nor stop anyone. AndI really don't believe it does much damage to the body because it's from the eaeth and it's a herbm
DeleteThe consideration of the Government of Belize to decriminalize the possession of 10 grams and less of marijuana seems to strive in both the good and bad path of Belizean citizens’ minds. It personally think that it would be for greater bad than good. According to the commissioner of police, 60% of criminals arrested are found with the presence of marijuana in their systems and this is because majority of those arrested are for small amounts of marijuana in their possession and then after charged and sentenced to time in prison. This causes the prison to be packed with convicts and its capacity has long been exceeded which causes a struggle in the maintenance cost of the facilities and occupants as John Woods stated in his interview on the Dicky Bradley show. This fact emerges to be one of the reasons for the decriminalization. These are facts but those not mean it should be done for they utilize these drugs for income and for pleasure which inflicts damages to the brain and stimulates aggressive of unconscious behaviour.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana is also used as a medicine to ease pain or to keep a person calm when prescribed. If not prescribed it should not be used especially if not used properly as is done by most abusers. It is mostly rolled in a tobacco leaf. Tobacco is what is used in cigarettes but is processed first. This raw form is poisonous to the body and damages your alveolus in the lungs which is needed for effective respiration to occur. These abusers over use the drug/natural herb and negatively affect their body. Weed is good for some things but as the creole saying goes “too much of one thing isn’t good for you” It is illegal and should stay illegal but a prescription process should be developed in Belize is needed.
“I’ve got better things to do than mess up my life with drugs”
ReplyDeleteWith the crime rate being so high in our beautiful country Belize, I believe that the Government of Belize should not pass the law to decriminalized marijuana in our beautiful country because if the Government of Belize passes this law and allow people to use marijuana this is like saying it is okay to go ahead committing all these sense less murders and nothing will happen to you. We should take into consideration the many effect one can face when using marijuana such as the slowing down of brain activities, affecting memory, speaking, reasoning, and reaction. Marijuana affects growth, hormones and reproductive organs. It can affect the heart within a few minutes after smoking it, the heart begins beating more rapidly and blood pressure drops. Heavy use of marijuana lowers men’s testosterone levels as well as upset a woman’s menstrual cycle. Also when high doses of marijuana is used, usually when eaten in food rather than smoke, users can experience the following symptoms: hallucinations, delusions, impaired memory and disorientation.
“I’ve got better things to do than mess up my life with drugs”. This is indeed true, because you can spend time reading an inspirational book or have a talk with a counsellor about marijuana. I strongly believe that it is up to you to stop the use of marijuana. You can say something like” I said I didn’t want to. Please stop pressuring me” and walk away. Finally, the decriminalization of marijuana should not be enforced because; we will live a happy, healthier and drug free life. If we don’t use marijuana we will not have to worry about our brains being affected, people will have respect, care and love for us, we will remember stuff and of course, drug free is the way to be!
hi Sebastian,
DeleteI totally agree with you that the Government of Belize should not pas the law to decriminalize Marijuana. I also believe that if the law is passed the crime rate will be greater. good points
The Barrow administration should not legalize the use of marijuana in Belize. Although thy can be used as medicinal purposes, the effects and destruction it would cause is far much grater to deal with. Based on Research the active ingredient in marijuana is THC. Which stand for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.THC is rapidly absorbed after smoking, within minutes, THC and the other substances in marijuana smoke cause short-term medical effect. These effects are reduced after three or four hours. However, marijuana hangs around in your system for as long as a month after smoking. The lingering effects mean you're impaired for several days to weeks after the high wears off. Major factor when smoking Marijuana is that your heart increases at a rate by 20-100 percent. It lasts up can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmia's.
ReplyDeleteThis risk may be greater in aging populations or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities. Because many people don’t seems to have an instant effect they tend to always want to smoke this drug. this then becomes a habit always wanting more, so many families would be unfed, so much younger children will be parking. More important the crime rate, and violence rate is already high. You hear a lot of people saying that when someone smokes they don’t tend to do any crime, your clam. But come on people look on the brighter side most Belizean's will definitely drink, and smoke together. You could imagine the amount of social issues that would arise if this drug would become Legal. Yes, alcohol and tobacco are legal but are worse in every sense. That is not something that would be fear to use as an alibi to make a point. We should be working forward to building a better nation not to ripe it apart. Think of it, so much more damage would be made to society if this takes place.
Edrei Alvarado
Many people go to jail for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. They spends days or even weeks in a cell just for that reason, will killers and robbers are still out there free, and committing crimes over and over. By the decriminalization of marijuana all that will happen is that if you are found with a small amount nothing will happen, no charges. I don’t think it is necessary to go through this. Instead of paying attention to minor problems like this they should be trying to stop drug traffickers and those who sell in large amounts, making a living by breaking laws! If they decriminalize marijuana what will happen? People will feel free to consume it on the streets, on buses, and in every public area. This could cause so many problems.
ReplyDeleteWe already have situations of children taking marijuana to schools, so if it decriminalized what will happen? They would do it often. These are all the things that need to be considered when this idea came up. Our youths and even kids are involved. Leave the law as is. No change should be made. If they are so eager to change and improve laws try the other ones, those really have room for improvement.
i agree with you Linda Moore because lots of major things is happening in Belize what their are not paying attention but their are paying attention on minor things like drug. They can stop people if they want to take the drug because their are not harming nobody else there are harming their ownself.
DeleteThats true Linda other criminal activity are taking place out there and the government over looks that they rather sit and send some to jail for an ounce of marijuana than a killer who they know is gulity.
DeleteThe Government of Belize should not decriminalize marijuana because it is a mind altering drug. The main active ingredient of marijuana is THC (tetrhydocannabinol). It is very pitiful to see Belizean citizens, especially friends and young healthy people consuming this herb. Users consume marijuana because it makes them feel happy and relaxed but they ignore the fact that it is harmful to their health. It is proven that users may experience euphoria, hallucinations and paranoia moreover it also causes loss of coordination and rapid heart rate which may cause a heart attack. A research conducted at The Harvard University by William J. Cromie proved that after someone consumes marijuana the risk of a heart attack rises five times.
ReplyDeleteThe Government of Belize is, in my opinion, not doing something good for Belize by decriminalizing Marijuana. Belize is a small country and we have many crimes presently happening. I believe that if marijuana is decriminalized or legalized it will cause more accidents, crime as well as more violence and gangs. Many people argue that it has medical benefits so it should be legalized but I think that science is very advanced now a days so many medicines can be used instead of marijuana.
The Government of Belize and the Barrow Administration should not past the laws to decriminalized marijuana because it will affect our country as whole. As we know, marijuana has medical benefits. Even so, it should not be legalized because everyone in general will be intaking the drug which affects the nerve cells of the brain. Marijuana is the most consumed drug in Belize and other parts of the world. Marijuana makes a driver incoherent when driving and accidents are most likely to occur. Although, there may be a number of drug dealers, if it is legalized they will run out of business because most than likely everyone is going to consume marijuana and they will plant it theirselves, so drug dealers will have a loss. The overall picture is that it damages our health and would lead to more killing in our society. If it was legalized our same Government officials would be out in the public smoking marijuana. However to my point of view, I am against the decriminalizing of Marijuana.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with you Claudia becuase the legalization would just mess up our country progression. you are right when you state that people will plant marijuana and nothing would be wrong simple because it wouldnt be an legal drug. I also like your idea about high officials would be smoking on street and could add in their office and we dont want that.And yes together we stand on NO to legalization of marijuana because as good future citizen of our lovely country Belize we do care on everything that has to do with our Belize.
DeleteThe decriminalization of marijuana has become a very notorious matter in Belizean Politics and economy presently. The Belizean government has moved on from legalization of this drug to the decriminalization of marijuana. There are very valuable points to dispute for and against the decriminalization of marijuana but everything argued must be based on true data and facts. In my analysis, I prop up to the movement to decriminalize marijuana since the advantages to it are more valuable. One of the utmost arguments for the cons to the decriminalization of marijuana is that it will be grounds to much more deaths and impairment to others. When used in moderation, marijuana is less injurious and detrimental than legal drugs, such as tobacco or alcohol. Drugs like alcohol have no law against it and it can be consumed at any rate but yet it adds to one of the foremost causes of deaths here in Belize. The intention is to not legalize it to free consumption but to have a restraint of its use; therefore it will be less harmful and threat to other’s life.
ReplyDeleteIf we focus on the economy, crime and health, this would also have a affirmative impact to the Belizean society in these two sectors. If we allow the modest consumption of this drug, it would condense the price value of this substance therefore crime like theft (which is one of the uppermost crime committed in Belize) will decrease because of the accessibility. Some may ask, how will this positively impact our financial system? Economists argue that the taxing this product will undoubtedly boost the amount of proceeds for the country. Also, many ignorant to this issue may argue that because marijuana is a drug, it is injurious to our health. Just to point out, there has been no case reported on a person dying because of consumption of marijuana. In the other hand this substance helps persons fight against terminal illnesses like cancer. Therefore I fully sustain the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize since it will be on limited use. The committee to look into proposals for the decriminalization of marijuana in Belize has also proposed to have an educational usage of this substance. We can see that the usage of this substance will be moderated by the limitation of usage and an educational background to it. These all will indeed will make a positive impact to our country in a whole
Decriminalization of marijuana is basically users no longer face jail time (nor in most cases, arrest or criminal records) for the possession or use of small amounts of marijuana. Marijuana could be used in 25,000 different items. Some people are suffering from asthma and spasticity have been found to have benefited from the consumption of marijuana, Decriminalizing the drug would help the government to save by cutting down on money spend to fight drug war. I have seen the benefits of marijuana but not by smoking it, so let’s start teaching the proper way to consume this drug, either b boiling it or cooking it in food.
ReplyDeleteSimple things like putting weed in your alcohol help you with joint pain. So you go to jail if you are found with weed in your alcohol? Is shouldn’t be like that. It not only helps with that but with other sickness as well. So I agree with the decriminalization of marijuana due to the fact that it is not only a drug but a contributing factor of like.
I strongly agree with you Jermaine. Instead of trying to change the law i think that the Government should try and come up with ways to show the public how to use marijuana as a medicine or as a better herb. Because this drug is very powerful and regardless of decriminalizing or legalizing it, Belizeans will use it if they want to.
DeleteI strongly disagree that the legalization of marijuana should be legalized simply because their much more cons than pros and in no way will benefit our beloved country Belize since it is a fact that our country Belize is already in crises especially with the way the country has and being governed. As said that marijuana is a drug that comes from dried flowers and leaves of hem plant can hints us that will kill our entire country since according to present users anytime someone use marijuana that person will want more and more each time just to obtain the desire effect. Just imagine if marijuana is being legalize what would happen to our future generation or even now to our youths, kids would eventually use this drug for pleasure and become an addict to this drug that would at the end result in what? More burglary, killing, raping, overdose etc. Why would they be addicted is simple because that marijuana contains delta-9 tetra-hydro-cannabinol or THC that affects the human brain, heart, lungs and even pregnant women would cause children to born deformed.
ReplyDeleteI will also agree that the drugs is helping our civilians that are being diagnosed with some type sickness but again people will take the drug for satisfaction and not for medication which would then be understandable but come on not for desire effects. This drug will for a fact make our country progression to decrease. The government of Belize should not legalize this drug in any type of quantity at all, look at other advanced country that has legalized marijuana they are having huge problems to now control this drug so why then make our country go through this? No sense at all. We wouldn’t want doctor, lawyers, architects, engineers etc are a drug addict cause then what will our country look like? Just imagine a doctor having the drug effect while dealing with patient at a clinic or hospital will for sure end up to a serious disaster. I can conclude by stating I strongly disagree on the legalization of marijuana in any amount in Belize and that the barrows administration should make a country wide voting to see the societies point of views and not within their selves.
Very true Mateo, legalization of Cannabis Sativa would indeed be very detrimental to our young society. This is a drug and drugs do make people become addicts. Decriminalizing such drug would have a great negative effect especially on our younger population who are the ones most at risk. Those countries which have legalized this drug cannot prove that it has helped their country. In fact it has caused greater harm. The Netherlands for example, have legalized this drug and are faced with a great problem when it comes to the clandestine producers who are producing this drug in different flavors, and strengths. California, a state in the U.S has legalized the drug and its production has drastically increased and has surpassed the production of corn and potatoes. All in all decriminalization of mariguana is detrimental to our country.
DeleteI strongly disagree with your point of view. You stated that there are more cons than pros but as far as I am concern marijuana has very little cons. There is very little evidence that smoking marijuana as a means of taking it represents a significant health risk furthermore marijuana does not cause an individual to commit crimes such as burglary, killing, raping and overdosing and I a positively sure that if the government were to make a country wide voting to see the societies point of view, many will agree with legalizing marijuana.
DeleteMarijuana better known as cannabis and weed is a green/brown mix of flowers, stems, and leaves of the plant Cannabis. And there is a stronger form of marijuana called hashish (hash) looks like brown or black cakes or balls. There are many street names for marijuana includes pot, herb, weed, dope, and ganja. Marijuana is no more harmful to a person’s health than alcohol or tobacco, which is both legal and widely used, and regulated by the Administration Officials. Marijuana has proven medical benefits for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other patients. And on the other hand it cause difficulty in thinking and problem solving Problems with memory and learning Loss of coordination and Distorted perception. Farther causing Changes in the brain. Stress, Fertility implications, Respiratory problems, Changes in blood pressure and Emotional problems
ReplyDeleteDecriminalization of marijuana then means that a specific activity such as the possession of a small amount of marijuana would be removed from the criminal courts, but would still be against the law. With decriminalization of marijuana the user would be accused differently and an alternative penalty well be put in place, such as a fine, would be the consequence. But I could care less if marijuana become decriminalize in Belize’s. But I wouldn’t support that marijuana should be decriminalize, it’s already damaging our society and community beyond what we can imagine. If we can’t control the outcome of alcohol and cigarette on mankind how will we controlled marijuana. Even thou if Marijuana would decriminalize it will only cause youths to take bigger risk holding much more amount of cannabis in their possession. “if you give me a inch, I would took a yard”…
Personally I don't think that GOB should Decriminalize Marijuana - If this drug is decriminalized, there would be a lot of negative effects on the person and the country. Firstly, the smoking of this drug may lead to habit forming and it also develops dependence on the drug. The more it's smoked, the higher the probability of the body getting used to the "high". In my opinion, this can lead to the person seeking a "harder" drug to achieve the same high. Secondly, the smoking of this drug would increase medical care. Smoking 3 - 4 joints a day has been found to be associated with the same degree of damage to the lung tissue as 20 or more cigarettes per day. In adolescence, it has been found that the persistent use before age 18 causes lasting harm to intelligence, attention, and memory. Even if the individual decides to quit consuming this drug, it won't reverse any damages already caused to the brain. Lastly, the smoking of this drug not only affects the individual consuming marijuana, but also others around them. It has been proven that second hand smoking is more harmful than the actual smoking.
ReplyDeleteDecimalization of marijuana in my view I think the government need to legalize it because marijuana does not harm anyone, in many countries marijuana is used as medicine for asthmatic people. I think that marijuana is much safer than alcohol because when you smoke a marijuana u get calm and high but when you drink alcohol you get drunk and started to act wild and do stupid stuff that you will regret the next day. Marijuana does not make you feel bad the next day like what drinking do to you, drinking make you vomit and also make your head and belly feel bad.They are a lot of marijuana sellers allover our city and I have seen what they have establish from selling this plant and it is a great profit for you if you know what you are doing. Why can’t the government give licensefor selling the plant just like how they had givenlicense for alcohol which causes many of the problems and accident in our beloved Belize. The society is making a big deal over marijuana when they are bigger issue to debate on.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana has never kill or affected people kind of negative way; instead it has help people to reduce the risk of getting infected by any virus or disease. Many people have dislike and hated marijuana for their very own reasons,I think that marijuana is just a plant that you just roll up and smoke. Some people that smoke weed had told me that you get a nice feeling after you have smoke marijuana and it also calm the mind. So I therefore conclude by saying that we should just legalize marijuana and done because it has no negative effect on you if you smoke it.
in support of your opinion Mr Clifford. it has its many positive sides that are useful/
DeleteThe Government of Belize should NOT pass the law to decriminalize marijuana.If they decriminalize it, it will be beneficial to individuals who only have a record for just having marijuana in their possession. It can affect whether a person can get a job or not. But they should not decriminalize it because people will take advantage of the fact that they can now use the drug and it can then cause chaos in society.
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference between legalizing and decriminalizing of this drug. Legalizing it is making it legal and acceptable in the country and decriminalizing is minimizing the amount that one can have in their possession. The Government of Belize does not want to make it acceptable but to just minimize the amount that people can have in their possession.But what sense does that make? Becuase people will use the drug regardless; some for medicinal reasons others for satisfaction. The Governemnt should instead come up with ways to use the drug in a better way like boiling it or mixing in it food. Because smoking the drug is harmful.
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ReplyDeleteThe Government of Belize should decriminalization marijuana it is a drug that is used not only to relax the mind but also for medical purposes that can be very beneficial to people who need pain relief. This drug is used to reduce vomiting, nausea and several other illness.
ReplyDeleteIt is mainly prescribed to cancer patients that undergo severe pain. Marijuana, which is commonly known as weed in Belize, is proven to be harmless to the body, and have never been the cause of anyone's death. People claim that it gives a feeling of "high", relaxation and calmness to the body, and that is why they engage in using the drug. In my opinion, it is just as if drinking a bottle of alcohol. Every drug has their flaws. And like cigarettes and pipes, marijuana can be harmful to the body, the lungs more so. But this isn't something that is strange or new to our society. It has been sneaking around in people's pockets for years now. If marijuana is decriminalized, it can then be sold, and if it is sold our economy will profit. It can even be exported to other countries. I think that this move towards decriminalization of the drug marijuana will cause less crimes in the streets of our country.
In conclusion, Marijuana is used for good purposes. It should be decriminalized at least.
Sir I fail to agree with your comments. Margiuana can be used as a medicine indeed. There is totally no problem with this. The individuals who use it for healing are those that are ill, they have no other choice. If they use it, they do so because of a necessity and they do so in the confines of their homes. They probably have been doing so for many years and no one messes with them because they mess with no one. On the other hand, there is no reason to have a drug which can be very mind eating and destroying especially to our youths. See, when someone becomes addicted to a drug and has no means to sustain this drug then a problem arises. The addict then turns to violence and crime. This is the problem, look at the crime statistics in Belize, we have a society that is crumbling, hear your news, look at your environment, your neighborhood. If Mariguana is decriminalized, there is no way that our economy can profit. Decriminalization would create an inflow of clandestine producers who have technology at their forefront. They will be able to produce a drug that is more powerful, flavorful and more addictive just to capture a great market share. You will find that many people will be getting into this business, the drug lords will invest in these individuals and hell will break loose. Look at Mexico, they have the meanest drug cartels, Ciudad Juarez is considered the death capital of the world, mind you they are our neighbors and this is the exact way they started. Just some food for taught my friend.
DeleteMarijuana is against the law and its a duty of a citizen to obey it. The Government of Belize will decriminalize it because its reasonable,sensible and the right thing to do. Its going to create a chaos for the users most importantly. The proposal is to make marijuana use a lesser offense than a crime punishable by a jail term. I am against any drug which changes people behavior. If the objective is to discourage its use there is a better way to do it than putting users in jail.
ReplyDelete#Shantel Dawson
Decriminalization does not increase the economic opportunity for those in need, legalization can. It is therefore my position that Marijuana should not be decriminalized but legalized. Decriminalization means that a specific activity (such as the possession of a small amount of marijuana) would be removed from the scope of the criminal courts, but would still be against the law. With decriminalization, the user would be prosecuted differently and an “alternative penalty”, such as a fine, would be the consequence. Legalization would involve the removal of legal penalties, although regulations and rules about production and distribution could still be developed and put into effect. The Government of Belize has spent millions imprisoning its own citizens based on mistaken racist and corrupt laws it adopted from another country. Unless new acceptable, factual presentations are made for why an individual needs to be punished for consuming this plant, the harassment of cannabis consumers and producers needs to be stopped immediately. Primary reasons in support of legalizing marijuana includes prohibition of marijuana is unwarranted government interruption into individual freedom of choice, marijuana has proven medical benefits for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other patients, crime and violence are greatly increased due to illegal selling and buying of marijuana. Legalization would logically end the need for such criminal behaviour; drug busts of youth for marijuana offenses often carry harsh penalties that can cause undue social harm with lifelong consequences.
ReplyDeletein full support of your opinion Ms. Popper, GOB should completely legalize it, and impose taxes instead of having people doing the illegal distribution.
DeleteI support your opinion Nyell, because studies have found marijuna use to be beneficial in treating mutliple sclerosis,Torette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive dis order,brachialplexus neuropathies, insomnia,memory disorders,anxiety disorders and many more conditions. Most notably, the plant posesses a significant painkilling effect as well as noticeable inprovements in sleep.
DeleteIn my opinion the decriminalization of marijuana will not have any positive impact on our country. The crime and violence level in Belize is already off. Thus, this will worsen the countries social issues. By legalizing marijuana this will open gate for people to do other/more illegal activities. It causes short term and long term health problems. Long term health problems such as lung cancer, bronchitis, increases the risk of heart attack, cancer of the head or neck, it suppresses the production of hormones that help regulate the reproductive system both in men and women and it affects the mental health. Some short term health problems marijuana causes; increases the heart rate in normal people and worsens heart rate in with heart disease or high blood pressure and increased susceptibility to infections. Why should the Gov. legalize marijuana, when he should want his country's population to be physically well? Not to mention the bad effect that it will have on our up coming youths as they receive the bad influence. The availability of the drug will also expand. Hence the reason it should not be decriminalized.
ReplyDeleteThe decriminalization of marijuana should not be passed. instead it should be legalized completely. it can be beneficial in many ways. if we look at the state of our economy, we can see that as a nation we are not doing well. A good way to boost our financial state, would be to legalize the marijuana, and impose business tax to vendors, and GST to consumers. Research has proven that if Marijuana is boiled as a tea, it can be of great benefit. also it has compounds that are known to enhance the thinking capabilities of the human mind. yes it is a drug if used improperly, but so is the "fried chicken' you purchase from the chinese fast food venues. has one ever taken into consideration the ingredients used? one neuro toxin used as a flavor enhancing additive is MSG or Mono Sodio Glutinate. it is a very cancerous powder mixed in the flour used to deep fry. so why decriminalize marijuana when it can be completely legalized to help the economy?
ReplyDeleteMarijuana also known as cannabis, chronic, herb, weed, pot, mary jane and ganja is a flowering plant. In Belize at least half of the population uses marijuana. The plant is sometimes smoked for its intoxicating effect or used for medicinal purposes. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day. With this been said the Barrow administration should decriminalize marijuana. It is proven that no individual has ever died from the usage of marijuana. If cigarette and alcohol are legalized which are two of the biggest killers on the planet today. Why not marijuana?
ReplyDeleteThe legalization of marijuana could influence the economy in a positive manner. Since many people smoke or use marijuana, the government should place tax on every amount of marijuana being sold, instead of the marijuana users and distributors being locked up in prison, living on “we” the tax payers money, this means that individuals who distribute or sell marijuana can open their business and the administration will charge them business tax therefore the individuals who purchases the plant will pay General Sales Tax (GST). However ONLY license distributors can sell marijuana and possession and consumption of marijuana at a public place constitutes a misdemeanor or imprisonment. In that way both the government and the economy can benefit from marijuana. Legalize it!!
Cerie I disagree with your statement. Marijuana will influence the economy but not in the way you mention. the only people that would benefit would be the drug dealer. As in the case of many other narcotics, addicts become hooked to these drugs and spend all their money to feed this addiction. and end up committing crimes to feed their addiction. Becoming a problem to society. Marijuana should not be decriminalized.
DeleteDecriminalization does not increase the economic opportunity for those in need, legalization can. It is therefore my position that Marijuana should not be decriminalized but legalized.In my opinion the decriminalization of marijuana will not have any positive impact on our country.The legalization of marijuana could influence the economy in a positive manner. Marijuana also known as cannabis, chronic, herb, weed, pot, mary jane and ganja is a flowering plant. In Belize at least half of the population uses marijuana. Marijuana can be beneficial in many ways. if we look at the state of our economy, we can see that as a nation we are not doing well.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana is against the law and its a duty of a citizen to obey it. The Government of Belize will decriminalize it because its reasonable,sensible and the right thing to do.Primary reasons in support of legalizing marijuana includes prohibition of marijuana is unwarranted government interruption into individual freedom of choice, marijuana has proven medical benefits for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other patients, crime and violence are greatly increased due to illegal selling and buying of marijuana. Legalization would logically end the need for such criminal behaviour; drug busts of youth for marijuana offenses often carry harsh penalties that can cause undue social harm with lifelong consequences.
Marijuana also known as Canabis, in its many form once used by an individual changes how the mind works. Containing THC, and classified as a short term hallucinogen, marijuana can cause a variety of effects depending on the individual who is taking it. Some of these effects are depression, mood swing, tension, fear, increased heart rate, memory reduction, and thinking and imagining things that are not real. These effects are bad for an individual mentally and physically, and it was also proven that the THC found in marijuana contributes to certain types of cancer.
ReplyDeleteLegalization of marijuana in Belize will not only affect our mental health, but also crime. By legalizing marijuana, it means opening up stores where it can be purchased, which will cause drugs cartels and other illegal marijuana distributors to be out of business. This will lead to some form of violence between those selling marijuana legally and the illegal distributors who are now out of business. It will open a gate for distributors to other countries where marijuana is illegal.
Marijuana should be not decriminalize by all means in Belize.
Marijuana is not a deadly substance. Yes, it is a drug but it does no harm whatsoever to any person unless it is critically abused like everything else. Too much sugar can kill you but that doesn't mean it should be illegal. Even if you find an individual with so much grams of weed, would you arrest that person if it was instead five packs of cigarettes? Which is an even deadlier substance? Instead of branding the substance as 'illegal', the government should instead prohibit it from being used in public, as they did with alcohol.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that Marijuana should be Decriminalize. Marijuana is known to cause serious health problems and mental illness. Marijuana hinders the user's short-term memory (memory for recent events), and he or she may have trouble handling complex tasks. There is also a strong link between drug use and unsafe sex and the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The main respiratory consequences of smoking marijuana regularly are pulmonary infections and respiratory cancer. The effects also include chronic bronchitis, impairment in the function of the smaller air passages, inflammation of the lung, the development of potentially pre-cancerous abnormalities in the bronchial lining and lungs and a reduction in the capabilities of many defensive mechanisms within the lungs. Marijuana smoke and cigarette smoke contain many of the same toxins, including one which has been identified as a key factor in the promotion of lung cancer. This toxin is found in the tar phase of both, and it should be noted that one joint has four times more tar than a cigarette, which means that the lungs are exposed four-fold to this toxin and others in the tar.
ReplyDeleteIt has been suggested that marijuana is at the root of many mental disorders, including acute toxic psychosis, panic attacks, flashbacks, delusions, depersonalization, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, and uncontrollable aggressiveness. Marijuana has long been known to trigger attacks of mental illness, such as bipolar psychosis and schizophrenia
I am for the decriminalization of marijuana; therefore I strongly agree with Vanessa. Marijuana is beneficial for curing many ailments and as proven by a recent study, it even has positive effects on the lungs if used casually. So why should anyone be charged and sent to jail for using marijuana? Each person should be entitled to equal rights; however it would scare the government and all the factories which manufacture medication. If the government keeps majority of society in ignorance about the facts on marijuana, they will lose millions of dollars.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, if a universal cure such as marijuana would be found for life threatening diseases such as lung cancer, factories manufacturing medication would suffer great loss.
Thankfully, persons like my classmates and I are educated about the positive uses of marijuna, so I urge more persons to get educated about the facts because if more people are educated on marijuna, the government would have less control on society.
I believe that marijuana should be decriminalized. I say this because countless studies reveal that it has many industrial and medicinal uses. One very recent study proves that if used casually the plant doesn't even lead to lung damage;however creates positive effects on the lungs.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, studies found marijuana use to be very beneficial in treating multiple sclerosis, Torette syndrome, obsessive-complusive disorder, anxiety disorders, cancer and many more conditions.
most notably, the plant posess a significant painkilling effect as well as noticeable improvements in sleep.
Each person should be entitled to equal rights; however it would scare the government and all the factories which manufacture medication. If the government keeps majority of society in ignorance about the facts on marijuana, they will lose millions of dollars.
Moreover, if a universal cure such as marijuana would be found for life threatening diseases such as lung cancer, factories manufacturing medication would suffer great loss.
Thankfully, persons like my classmates and I are educated about the positive uses of marijuna, so I urge more persons to get educated about the facts because if more people are educated on marijuna, the government would have less control on society.