GREAT BAY--Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has emphasized that Government, and by extension himself, must first receive and review the necessary information before drawing conclusions or taking final decisions regarding cannabis legislation in St. Maarten.
Addressing questions during the clarification round of the 2026 Budget Debate, Mercelina said that while Government is aware of the work being done on cannabis policy, the process is not yet at a stage where conclusions should be drawn. The Prime Minister specifically pointed to outstanding information he has requested from the responsible ministries and the interministerial workgroup.
“Until I receive that information, I do not want to speculate,” Mercelina stated.
His comments prompted coalition MP Dimar Labega to express his satisfaction at hearing the Prime Minister's presentation which is contrary to the sensationalist narrative.
Mercelina explained that the Government’s current work is aimed at gathering the information required to make a responsible policy decision. He stressed that the establishment of an interministerial workgroup does not mean that Government has already decided to legalize cannabis or create a commercial cannabis market.
“The work being carried out must provide Government with the information needed to make a responsible policy decision,” the Prime Minister explained.
He confirmed that an interministerial workgroup on cannabis was established through a ministerial regulation signed on February 28, 2024, and published in the official publication in 2024. The establishment of the group was linked to the governing program 2020–2024 and a Council of Ministers decision from August 4, 2022.
However, Mercelina made clear that being aware of the existence of the regulation is not the same as having a complete overview of the group’s progress and findings.
The Prime Minister said he has requested a full status update addressing, among other matters:
- whether quarterly reports have been prepared and submitted to the relevant ministers;
- what feedback has been provided by ministers;
- what recommendations or policy proposals have been presented to the Council of Ministers;
- what work remains outstanding;
- when the outstanding work is expected to be completed.
Mercelina also said he requested additional information concerning research into:
- public health impacts;
- effects on young people;
- the legal framework;
- law enforcement considerations;
- economic and financial implications;
- product safety;
- cooperation with the French side.
According to the Prime Minister, this information is necessary to determine what the workgroup has completed, what has been delivered and what still needs to be addressed before Government can determine the appropriate path forward.
Draft Legislation Still Under Review
Mercelina also clarified the status of draft cannabis legislation.
He stated that a draft national ordinance regulating the cultivation, import, production, processing, distribution, sale and consumption of cannabis and cannabis products was submitted to the Department of Legal Affairs for legislative and technical review.
Following that review, the draft was submitted to the responsible minister. However, Mercelina confirmed that the legislation has not yet been completed and has not been submitted to the Council of Ministers or the Council of Advice.
Regarding research reportedly conducted by Native Nations and Market, the Prime Minister said he has requested additional information from the relevant ministries and the interministerial workgroup to clarify what research has been completed.
“Until I receive that information, I do not want to speculate,” he reiterated.
Heyliger-Martin: Government Must Fulfill Process Before Parliament Decides
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Martin also addressed questions surrounding cannabis policy, particularly concerns about possible financial consequences if cannabis legislation does not move forward.
The Minister explained that Government does not budget for the possibility that it may fail to honor an agreement, because doing so would suggest that Government already intends to breach its obligations.
She said agreements are entered into with the expectation that all parties will act in good faith, and noted that the previous administration entered into the agreement under that same understanding.
Heyliger-Martin clarified that there is no automatic financial consequence simply because Parliament does not approve cannabis legislation.
She explained that Parliament has its own legislative authority and that Government cannot guarantee the outcome of the parliamentary process.
According to the Minister, a potential financial consequence would only arise if Government fails to fulfill its obligations to advance the legislation through the agreed process before it reaches Parliament.
Once Government fulfills that responsibility and submits the legislation to Parliament, she said Government has completed its obligation in that regard.
