By Belize Live News Staff: Belize’s Church Senator Louis Wade has ignited a national debate after doubling down on his controversial remarks linking marijuana consumption including through popular local beverages to the country’s growing number of fatal traffic accidents.
In a lengthy public statement, Senator Wade reaffirmed his belief that marijuana use, particularly when mixed with alcohol, is contributing to the rise in deadly crashes, especially among young Belizeans.
“Belizeans love Rude Bwoy and Overdrive, which both contain marijuana extracts. Alcohol by itself is deadly, much less when combined with weed,” Wade asserted.
According to the senator, most fatal accidents occur on weekend nights, a trend he says reflects substance abuse rather than poor road conditions or driver inexperience. Citing national statistics, Wade emphasized that 60% of traffic fatalities are alcohol-related, with most victims under 30 years old.
He further stated that Belize is not conducting adequate testing for marijuana in blood samples following accidents, suggesting that this oversight masks the true role of drug impairment in the country’s road carnage.
“If we start testing for marijuana, we’ll see the truth,” he insisted. “Weed today is not the same as before, our tests show it’s laced with fentanyl, meth, and even angel dust.”
Wade, who operates a drug rehabilitation center, said his team’s findings reveal dangerous drug combinations being sold as recreational marijuana. He also referenced U.S. research showing that over 40% of drivers who died in crashes tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis.
“You can curse me all you want, but I know what I’m talking about,” Wade declared. “Until we face our national pastime of getting high while socializing, we’ll keep picking up dead, young, mangled bodies from under vehicles.”
The comments have sparked mixed reactions across Belize. Supporters praised Wade for “telling hard truths,” while critics accused him of fearmongering and stigmatizing marijuana users.
