GREAT BAY--The Cannabis Legislative Inter-Ministerial Work Group (CLIWG) has described its national cannabis symposium as a successful first step in a wider public education and consultation process, with a good turnout of citizens attending the August 14 event at the University of St. Martin.
Held under the theme “Building the Future of Cannabis Regulation,” the symposium brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, members of the business community and the general public for an evening focused on cannabis science, public health, youth, regional developments, cultural considerations and the principles that should guide responsible regulation.
The Ministers of TEATT and ECYS, Grisha Heyliger-Marten and Melissa Gumbs respectively was in attendance as well as MPs Dimar Labega and Viren Kotai. Minister of VSA Claret Connor was also present.
Organizers said the turnout demonstrated considerable public interest, particularly given the relatively limited period available to promote the event. They stressed that the symposium was designed primarily as an educational forum, giving the public access to specialists who could explain the plant, scientific research, medical considerations and developments taking place across the Caribbean and internationally.
Featured speakers were medical cannabis physician Dr. Joseph Rosado; Dr. Machel A. Emanuel, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the University of the West Indies; cannabis researcher and advocate Ras Iroy; and policy expert and researcher Leandra Leslie-Cijntje. Dr. Rhoda Arrindell moderated the discussion.
Rosado focused on the biological and medical dimensions of cannabis, including the endocannabinoid system and its relationship to cannabinoids. Emanuel placed cannabis developments within a wider Caribbean and international context while also addressing scientific and cultivation considerations. Leslie-Cijntje presented research related to cannabis and young people, including work conducted in St. Maarten, while Ras Iroy addressed the historical and religious relationship between cannabis and the Rastafari community and the importance of recognizing that perspective within the wider discussion on regulation.
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten also addressed the symposium, placing the discussion within the wider responsibilities of government in the areas of public health, economic development, agriculture, education, enforcement and regulation.
The Minister emphasized that cannabis regulation should not be interpreted as government promoting cannabis use. Rather, the challenge facing St. Maarten is how to establish safeguards around a substance that is already present and consumed within the country, while the existing illicit market provides government with limited ability to control product quality, potency, access or distribution. Her remarks stressed that any responsible regulatory framework would have to clearly determine who may participate, what can be sold, where products can be sold, how they are tested and labelled, how young people are protected and how compliance is monitored.
Heyliger-Marten also explained the role of CLIWG, which was established because cannabis policy affects several areas of government, including economic development, public health, Justice, education, agriculture, finance, tourism and community development. The work group has been involved in the proposed legislative framework, socio-economic considerations, public engagement and wider policy work associated with possible implementation. The Minister also recognized the members of CLIWG for the time and expertise invested in the process.
Public health, she stressed, must remain central to any future decision. This includes youth prevention, product testing and accurate labelling, responsible packaging, public education, mental-health awareness, controls on advertising, treatment and prevention resources, and monitoring of health outcomes. The Minister also acknowledged that cannabis is not without risks, particularly with frequent or heavy use, high-potency THC, impaired driving and use among adolescents and young adults.
From an economic perspective, Heyliger-Marten said government also has a responsibility to examine whether a regulated cannabis and hemp sector could contribute to diversification through agriculture, processing, research, medicine, retail, tourism, professional services and entrepreneurship. She cautioned, however, that economic projections must be approached responsibly and would depend on the eventual regulatory model, market conditions, compliance and implementation. Local farmers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, professionals, researchers and other local participants should have meaningful opportunities if an industry is eventually established.
The Minister further addressed financial integrity, pointing to the importance of transparent ownership, traceable transactions, banking access, licensing, auditing, anti-money laundering requirements and systems capable of monitoring products from cultivation through sale. She also stressed that regulation alone would not be enough and that public education must continue before and after any legislative changes.
Organizers said the question-and-answer segment reflected the level of public interest, with attendees raising questions about research, statistics, health considerations and the scientific evidence presented during the evening.
However, some questions moved into areas that were not the subject of the symposium or within the mandate of the invited specialists. These included detailed questions about what St. Maarten’s eventual cannabis program would look like, how participation would be determined and other implementation matters specific to the country.
CLIWG explained that the invited speakers had been brought to St. Maarten specifically to share their expertise on the cannabis plant, medicine, science, youth research, Rastafari considerations and regional and international developments. The symposium was therefore not intended to answer every question surrounding the final structure or implementation of a St. Maarten cannabis framework.
Organizers acknowledged the public interest in those questions and said additional forums will follow, providing opportunities for residents and stakeholders to engage on other aspects of the proposed framework as the national conversation continues.
The Minister also noted that policy and legislation remain the responsibility of government and ultimately Parliament, notwithstanding technical expertise provided by outside partners. According to her remarks, Native Nations SXM was selected following a competitive bidding process as a strategic partner to provide cultivation, technical and industry-development expertise, while policy decisions remain with St. Maarten’s institutions.
CLIWG said Friday's symposium was the first of more public information and engagement activities to come. The work group intends to continue creating opportunities for residents to obtain information, raise concerns, challenge proposals and better understand the various dimensions of cannabis regulation before decisions are finalized.
The symposium was held from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the University of St. Martin and was free to the public. CLIWG said the evening achieved its central purpose of bringing research, evidence and expert knowledge directly to the community while establishing a foundation for further discussions on St. Maarten’s proposed cannabis legislative framework.
