Belize has taken a partial step toward cannabis reform, decriminalizing small amounts of weed for personal use while stopping short of full legalization. Possession of limited quantities of marijuana is no longer treated as a criminal offense when used privately, but public consumption, commercial sales, and large-scale cultivation remain illegal under current law. This page explains Belize’s current marijuana legality, including decriminalization limits, restrictions on public and commercial use, medical cannabis status, industrial hemp rules, and where proposed legalization efforts stand today. For readers who want to compare Belize’s approach with cannabis laws in other regions, see our comprehensive breakdown of cannabis regulations by location across U.S. states, major cities, and countries worldwide in the Cannabis Laws by Location guide.
Table of Contents
Is marijuana legal in Belize
1. Personal Use (Decriminalized)
- Legal status: Decriminalized (not legalized).
- Limit: Possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis is not a criminal offense.
- Conditions:
- Must be used in private spaces.
- Requires property owner’s consent if not your residence.
- Public use: Still illegal.
2. Commercial Use (Not Legal Yet)
- Cannabis sale, cultivation, and distribution are not legal for recreational or medical markets.
- Law in progress:
- Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill was passed in 2022.
- Would create a legal framework for licensed cannabis businesses.
- Implementation stalled due to delayed referendum and public concerns.
3. Medical Marijuana
- No legal medical marijuana program exists.
- Doctors cannot prescribe cannabis for therapeutic use.
- Patients must rely on personal possession limits if using for medical reasons.
4. Industrial Hemp
- Legal under specific regulations.
- Requires licenses for cultivation and production.
- Still a small-scale industry in Belize.
5. Summary
- Decriminalized: Personal use (≤10g) in private.
- Illegal: Public use, sale, and unlicensed production.
- In progress: National licensing bill for full legalization—not yet active.
- No medical cannabis program currently available.
Belize is in a transitional phase—moving slowly toward broader legalization but currently limited to decriminalization for personal use.
