Caye Caulker Residents Launch Petition to Put Cannabis Legalisation on Ballot

A grassroots campaign is underway in Caye Caulker to let residents decide whether cannabis should be legalised and regulated on the island.

Beginning today, registered voters can sign a petition calling for a referendum to be held alongside the Village Council elections on June 29, 2025.

Organizers say the initiative is focused on creating a responsible, transparent cannabis industry that would generate local tax revenue, create jobs, and support infrastructure and social services. The petition needs 400 signatures from registered Caye Caulker voters to qualify for the ballot.

The proposed referendum question reads: “Should the Government of Belize pass legislation to create a responsible, regulated, and taxable legal cannabis industry on the island of Caye Caulker with a portion of the revenue going directly for the benefit of Caye Caulker and its residents?”

Campaign supporters argue that legalisation would reduce illegal activity, support small businesses, and boost sustainable tourism while generating revenue that stays on the island.

“We have an opportunity to take control of our future and create a self-sustaining and surplus-generating Caye Caulker,” said Councillor Ilya Rosado, one of the campaign’s organizers. “This is about improving infrastructure, education, and the overall standard of living — especially for working families.”