Caye Caulker Residents Rally Against Marijuana Ahead of Referendum

Residents and church leaders took to the streets of Caye Caulker this past Saturday to voice their opposition to marijuana legalisation, just days before the island’s cannabis referendum. The march, organised by the Hope Not Dope campaign, drew participants from the island, Belize City, and Belmopan.

Campaign leader Celina Jimenez urged voters to reject the measure, saying, “The message is that we say no to marijuana. We are also encouraging everybody who are voters in this area to go out and vote on the eighth of October and vote no.” She warned that legalizing marijuana could hurt tourism, adding, “If this comes into effect, the mission group has written to the churches that they will no longer come, because they don’t feel safe, and that will hurt our economy, our pockets, our immediate direct income that comes from these people. That is our hotels, restaurants, the tour guides, you name it.”

Residents cited concerns about youth and public safety. A local pastor said, “I want to take care of the people’s spiritual and moral condition and second it is because of the future generation. That is my big concern.” Another parent and teacher added, “I mainly think about the kids… what the future will hold, if this comes to play for my little island.”

While some critics questioned whether the church should focus on the country’s rising crime, Church Senator Louis Wade defended its role, saying, “Churches are more active in this country than most NGOs… Whenever the churches speak on an issue, they say shut up… When we are silent on a particular issue, then they will say the church is silent. I want to declare that the church is at work every single day.”

The march ended with a rally of singing, dancing, and prayer, as participants called on voters to mark “no” on October 8.