So, while Briceno is getting some brimstone and fire for marijuana legalization, Health Minister Pablo Marin is holding his party's line by calling the PUP Leader's plan misconceived.
Here's how Marin explained why he thinks that Belize should not fully legalize weed:
Reporter
"The Leader of the Opposition had called for legalization and cabinet believes that was irresponsible. Where do you stand as Minister of Health and as a member of cabinet?"
Hon. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health
Well, I think you have to look at the situation in a whole. First marijuana is an illegal substance. It can affect our people and if you open this to the public, how are we going to deal with this? We have to look at the first step. You can't just jump and say legalize marijuana, let's start to sell marijuana to different countries. How are going to provide the way forward on selling it? Who will plant it? Where will you put that money? How will you be able to work along? And you the US is always watching everything that we are doing so we have to be very cautious on what we do."
Reporter
"Isn't decriminalization the first step towards legalization? That's something UDP administration has done so far."
Hon. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health
"I think the decriminalization was more for us to put anyone in jail for a small substance and I think that is a lot of our youths to be avoiding and take to having a bad record, just because maybe 5 ounce of marijuana or less than that. Let's leave that way for now and let's see what the future will bring."
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