Caye Caulker to Vote on Legal Cannabis in October Referendum

Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam has officially signed off on a Writ of Referendum, giving the green light for voters in Caye Caulker Village to have their say on a hot-button issue. Should Belize create a responsible, regulated, and taxable legal cannabis industry on the island, with a portion of the revenue going directly to benefit Caye Caulker and its residents? This all started back in May, when a petition landed on the Governor-General’s desk. It was signed by at least twenty-five percent of registered voters in the village, meeting the legal threshold under Belize’s Referendum Act. Fast forward to July, and the Chief Elections Officer confirmed those signatures were legit. Now, the countdown begins. The referendum is set for October eighth, 2025, and it’s shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the island community. The results, votes for and against, must be certified by the very next day. At stake is potential legislation that could reshape the local economy, create jobs, and generate revenue, all while bringing attention to regulation, public health, and community impact. With the countdown to the Caye Caulker cannabis referendum officially underway, the Elections and Boundaries Department is getting its team in place. A notice issued on September first confirms the appointment of two key officials who will oversee the process in the Belize Rural South Electoral Division come Wednesday, October eighth. Stepping into the role of Returning Officer is Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer at the Department of the Environment. He’ll be leading the charge from Belmopan, under the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management. Joining him as Election Clerk is Rigoberto Quintana, Fisheries Administrator at the Fisheries Department, representing the Ministry of Blue Economy & Marine Conservation out of Belize City. These appointments, made in accordance with Belize’s Referendum Act, signal that preparations are in full swing for what could be a landmark vote on the island.