MARIJUANA-FINANCED EDUCATION. Minister of New Growth Industries Kareem Musa has proposed that Belize legalize marijuana. He acknowledges that marijuana is a problem, but says that we can turn it into an “economic benefit” by legalizing it. Specifically, he points to “cannabis tourism” from cruise ships that would bring “millions of dollars” into our economy.
Knowing that churches would oppose it, Musa offered a 10% tax on marijuana that would go directly to education. More than 80% of Belizean schools are church schools.
But if we let drug money finance our schools, drug money will influence what we teach. We are trying to teach kids to make an honest living without resorting to the temptation of lucrative drug-dealing. Now do we call drug dealing an honest living?
Musa says yes. He wants to give marijuana industry jobs to those in prison for marijuana offenses. In effect the government would be rewarding those who break the law. The same goes for drug dealers who are breaking the law but not getting caught. Suddenly their crimes would become legal. The government would treat criminals as benefactors to the students they have been corrupting.
Not only have they been corrupting students by luring them away from school into a life of crime. They have been getting students hooked on a drug that impairs their learning abilities. So that even if they stay in school, they will graduate with lower grades. And enter the work force with a habit that would inhibit them from learning a trade or business.
Marijuana especially harmful to teens
For teens, any abuse of marijuana can affect their critical thinking, problem solving and memory. Casual use can disrupt motivation, focus, decision making and working memory for 24 hours.
Furthermore, daily users have “increased risk of motor vehicle crashes, impaired respiratory function, cardiovascular disease, and adverse effects of regular use on adolescent psycho-social development and mental health”, according to the Lancet Journal. Also, daily teen users are 7 times more likely to commit suicide, and 8 times more likely to use other illicit drugs.
So when Musa says that marijuana legalization will not lead to more drug legalization, he ignores the slippery slope. Four years ago the government scoffed at the churches’ warnings that marijuana decriminalization would lead to legalization. Quite clearly it did.
Now, in a press release, our National Evangelical Association of Belize states that the same “economic benefit” rationale that Musa offers for marijuana legalization can be used for “human trafficking, drug planes, cocaine, heroin, and illegal arms trading.” They offer “economic benefit” too. But at a great cost to the health, safety, education and future of the next generation.
NEAB ended by saying, “Blessed is the nation who does what’s right in God’s eyes, not the nation who endangers their soul for “economic benefit.” Pray that the hearts of leaders will turn to the children, lest a curse come upon the land instead (Mal. 4:5-6).
ETG articles related to marijuana-financed education:
Drug Cartel Uses Firepower to Attack Mexico
BPN articles related to marijuana-financed education:
Raising Standards in Belize- an Evangelical Manifesto
Related sources for marjuana-financed education:
Musa Under Fire From NEAB on Marijuana Comment
Churches Take On Police Minister For Weed TalkExploring Cannabis as a New Growth Industry
Keyphrase: marijuana-financed education
