Prime Minister suggests need for controlled industry in wake of tainted weed sweets scandal

Also weighing in on the topic was Prime Minister, John Briceno, who says that the GOB may now be looking to tweak the bill. PM Briceno explained that there is a need for a controlled industry with stringent policies to prevent such occurrences. According to him, if the legislation had passed there may not have been a public health crisis involving products containing marijuana. 

Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “I think that is one of the things that we have to take a closer look and to see how that can be addressed, how we  can ensure that that does not happen. But who knows maybe if it was already out there with the proper regulations in place quite likely that would not have happened. But because it is in limbo you know it’s like purgatory you’re not in hell you’re not in heaven, you know people are still bringing in these edibles and selling it and because well it’s legal to have up to ten grams. So maybe an argument can be done for saying that we have to ensure that we go through all the way with the process to ensure that there can be strict regulations how it’s going to be managed, how it’s going to be handled, who can sell, who can buy, who can use all of these questions have to be regulated. But because it had been stopped in its tracks right now because of the commitment we made to the religious community and I know that they were going to say “See I told you so.” but it could be from the reverse. I mean you can’t turn back things and that’s just changes that we’re facing at this time in our society.”