Caye Caulker Divided Ahead of Weed Referendum

The debate over marijuana legalisation is intensifying on Caye Caulker as October 8 approaches. A week from now, residents will head to the polls for Belize’s first cannabis referendum, and the island community is sharply divided.

Leading the ‘Hope Not Dope’ campaign is long-time resident and businesswoman Celina Fuentes. She has lived on the island for more than twenty years. While she says she is not against smoking itself, she fears the risks that could follow legalisation.

“I’m looking at it, and they say this will stop illegality; they’re really wrong. I’m not against people consuming it; I’m against what will happen if this comes in effect,” Fuentes said.

“Some people that smoke, they smoke like what? Four or five times a day? Do they really have that $500 in their pocket to pay for their consumption?” she added.

Fuentes also warned that street sales would not disappear. “There will still be street vendors; we can’t stop that. In other countries that have legalised it, it’s still happening.” She said Caye Caulker is not ready for a turf war over territory.