GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten announced Wednesday that the Native Nations agreements have now been formally submitted to Parliament through the appropriate confidential procedure, following completion of a legal review into the agreements’ confidentiality provisions.
Heyliger-Marten said the submission fulfills a commitment she made during the 2026 Budget Debate, when questions were raised concerning Parliament’s access to agreements connected to Native Nations and St. Maarten’s proposed cannabis regulatory framework.
During that debate, the Minister informed Parliament that Government had sought legal advice specifically to determine how the documents could lawfully be provided to legislators without placing Government in breach of confidentiality provisions or other contractual obligations.
“At that time, I informed Parliament that Government had sought legal advice concerning the confidentiality provisions contained within the agreements.”
She explained that the purpose of seeking legal advice was not to prevent parliamentary access, but to establish the correct process for making the agreements available while respecting Government’s existing contractual obligations.
“That legal advice has now been received and provided a clear way forward,” the Minister said.
Following receipt of the advice, Heyliger-Marten said she worked with the Ministers responsible for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, ECYS, and Public Health, Social Development and Labor, VSA, to complete the process.
“In keeping with the commitment made on this specific matter, my colleague Ministers responsible for ECYS and VSA and I subsequently submitted the Native Nations agreements to Parliament through the appropriate confidential procedure, consistent with the legal advice received,” Heyliger-Marten said.
She confirmed that Parliament now has access to the agreements within the legally advised framework.
The issue received considerable attention during the August Budget Debate after Parliament sought additional documentation concerning the cannabis process and agreements involving Native Nations. At the time, Heyliger-Marten asked that Parliament allow Government to complete its legal review so the information could be provided without breaching contractual confidentiality requirements.
Heyliger-Marten stressed Wednesday that the specific undertaking concerning access to the Native Nations agreements has now been completed.
“I want to thank my colleague Ministers for their cooperation in completing this process,” she said.
“With the legal review completed and the documents formally submitted, Government has now followed through on the undertaking given to Parliament during the Budget Debate concerning these agreements.”
The confidential submission means Parliament can now review the agreements within the procedure recommended through the legal advice obtained by Government, while the broader policy and legislative process concerning cannabis regulation continues separately.
The process toward cannabis legalization in Sint Maarten has been a structured and multi-phase journey, culminating in the selection of Native Nations as the government’s key partner in 2024. The initiative began on September 12, 2022, with the announcement of a request for proposals (RFP) for cannabis-related legislation.
Native Nations submitted its proposal on December 5, 2022, and advanced through the selection process, making it to the top five candidates by April 18, 2023. The organization presented in the final round on May 8, 2023, and was ultimately chosen as the preferred RFP on November 2, 2023. Following this selection, the government formally granted Native Nations a mandate on April 10, 2024, to develop the legal framework for cannabis regulation in Sint Maarten. To facilitate this process, an intergovernmental workgroup began meeting weekly starting July 9, 2024, marking a significant step toward implementing a structured and legal cannabis industry in the country.
The Social Economic Stimulus Model is designed to generate 565 jobs by developing the cannabis industry, specifically through hemp CBD farming and indoor grow facilities. The initiative involves a total of 47 business licenses and is expected to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities. Through a structured approach that integrates farming, processing, retail, and research, this model aims to stimulate the economy and enhance local job opportunities.
