Media Double-talk Promoting Legalized Marijuana -

pm double-talk

MEDIA DOUBLE-TALK. What happens when the public hears from the media only the version from the government on an issue? Too often that means cover-up of drawbacks along with double-talk.

For example, in Belize evangelicals have publicly been pointing out drawbacks to legalizing marijuana. They include dangers of drug cartel involvement and harm to international banking relationships. Plus growing evidence of serious mental damage to addicted youth. And much more. But the media has published only tiny snippets of our five recent press statements on marijuana.

And PM John Briceno and cabinet have ignored repeated appeals to meet with them on the subject. Instead, they held one public zoom “consultation.” But they did not allow opponents to speak.

Yet the government now insists they did “extensive consultations.” Not with the churches. And we were the main objectors to government promotion and regulation of marijuana. Furthermore, the PM blames the churches for the $5 million cost of a special public vote on the issue.

Where will the millions go?

Yet he admits that much of that $5 million will go toward a government “information campaign.” And he admits that Belize banks don’t want to handle marijuana money until “banking issues have been addressed.” Just as the churches have said, marijuana money threatens international banking relationships.

So the PM says “we are not going to implement this legislation” until banks agree to handle the money. In effect he is arguing against legalizing marijuana until big international banks say we can. For that reason, all but five countries in the world still won’t legalize marijuana.

Belize evangelicals have warned of the dangers of more youth addiction, drug cartel involvement, and banking obstacles all along. In return, the media accuses us of not communicating and of costing the public money. In fact, unresponsive government costs the public much more.

If the government wants to avoid a $5 million referendum price tag, it can rescind the legislation now.

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