CLIWG is a multi-ministry task force including Justice, Health, Economic Affairs, Education, and Tourism. Coordinated by NNCSXM, the workgroup is tasked with:

• Drafting cannabis legislation
• Creating a licensing structure
• Designing economic, health, and trade policies
• Hosting public education and outreach campaigns

As of 2025, cannabis is not yet legalized in Sint Maarten. However, the legal framework is in its final stages of review, with community engagement, socio-economic studies, and industry consultations actively ongoing.

The proposed framework aims to regulate multiple categories of cannabis and cannabis-related products, including:

• Medical cannabis
• Wellness and CBD products
• Industrial hemp
• Adult-use cannabis, including regulated THC products distributed through licensed dispensaries and controlled consumption environments such as cannabis lounges

The framework is being developed through the Government’s Inter-Ministerial Workgroup established under AB 2024, no. 11, supporting legislation for medicinal, scientific, religious, and recreational cannabis regulation.

• Farmers through access to training, co-ops, and seed-to-sale technology
• Local entrepreneurs via exclusive licensing pathways
• Youth and job seekers through new employment and training
• Government through new taxes and export revenue streams
• Communities via mandatory social reinvestment programs

Unlike other Caribbean nations that have focused on decriminalization or limited medical use, Sint Maarten, through the government initiative in partnership with NNCSXM, is on track to become the first island in the region to implement full cannabis legalization, similar to Canada. NNCSXM’s approach is comprehensive, inclusive, and compliance-led, designed to set a new regional standard. What makes our model different:

• Local ownership first – Licensing prioritizes Sint Maarteners
• Full legalization framework – Covers medical, wellness, recreational, and export sectors under one unified law.
• Global-standard seed-to-sale system – Ensures traceability, product safety, and export certification from cultivation to consumer.
• Export-ready from Day 1 – Our trade strategy includes partnerships with South Africa, Europe, and North America.
• Structured workforce development – Training for farmers, youth, and entrepreneurs ensures locals lead the industry.
• Inter-ministerial collaboration – All government sectors (health, justice, economic affairs, education, tourism) are involved.
• Public health innovation – Reduces reliance on black-market drugs and offers a safer alternative to highly addictive pharmaceutical opioids.
• Positioning Sint Maarten as a cultivation leader – We're building the infrastructure and training programs to make the island a regional hub for licensed, high-quality cannabis cultivation, ready for both domestic and international markets.

• Strict health & safety regulations
• Certified retail environment
• Age-restriction enforcement
• Clear dosage, labeling, and education requirements
• Backed by legal and factual findings by doctors
• Seed-to-sale technology to ensure legal traceability and market compliance