PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, March 13, 2026, Native Nations SXM presented a landmark Cannabis Regulation Framework to the Parliament of Sint Maarten. The comprehensive proposal outlines a specialized approach to legalizing and managing cannabis on the island, promising substantial economic growth, targeted community development, and rigorous health safeguards.
The framework aligns with global best practices while remaining deeply rooted in Sint Maarten's unique economic, social, and cultural environment. Central to the proposal is the establishment of an independent Cannabis Oversight Commission. This governing body will ensure strict compliance and enforce licensing integrity across the industry. Representatives emphasized that the model strongly prioritizes public health and youth protection while guaranteeing product safety and quality control.
Economic projections presented to Parliament indicate a highly profitable future for the island. The framework expects to create more than 400 direct jobs and generate $149 million in tax revenue over its first five years. By capturing a projected market that will boost local commerce, the plan offers a clear path toward addressing and ultimately closing the national deficit.
Beyond the financial benefits, Native Nations SXM detailed significant health and social advantages. The framework establishes community support initiatives focused on cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and overall community well-being. On the medical front, a regulated cannabis market offers patients secure access to alternative treatments for chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and PTSD, significantly improving the quality of life for many residents.
The proposal is the direct result of extensive local consultation. Organizers collaborated with more than 50 stakeholders across the public, private, and community sectors. This extensive outreach included discussions with banking authorities, health foundations, and agricultural groups. Furthermore, the group connected with over 600 community members to ensure the framework reflects the actual needs and realities of the people.
If approved and implemented, the Native Nations SXM framework has the potential to contribute an estimated $1.05 billion to the local economy over a five-year period. By establishing a safe, well-regulated market, Sint Maarten can protect its citizens, shut down illicit markets, and generate the vital revenue needed to balance the national budget.
Digitization Equipment Purchased for Museum.
PHILIPSBURG:---The Sint Maarten National Heritage Foundation & Museum has received funding from the Mondriaan Fund to support the digitization of its historical collections.
With this support, the museum has been able to purchase specialized equipment, such as a special scanner, to carefully scan and preserve fragile archival materials. This also includes new computers, audiovisual playback and conversion equipment for cassettes, VHS tapes, and photo film rolls, as well as hard drives for backups. Together, these tools strengthen the museum’s ability to safeguard and manage its collections effectively.
Pictured here is one of our new scanners in use, digitizing an original ledger from the Salt Company on Sint Maarten. The records date back to 1859, and the open page documents the transportation of salt in 1867, an original historical record that directly documents the island’s salt trade and economic activity during that period.
Historical researcher Jean-Marc Augusty, with the help of volunteers, has begun scanning the materials at the museum. While this process will take time, it is important to work towards long-term preservation of these records. Digitizing these materials not only protects them from further wear and tear but also ensures that documents and other historical materials remain accessible to the people of Sint Maarten and beyond.
Suspect Arrested in Connection with Armed Robberies; Firearm and Hollow-Point Ammunition Seized.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) continues its efforts to combat violent crime and remove illegal firearms from the streets. As part of these ongoing efforts, officers arrested a suspect on the evening of Thursday, March 12, 2026, who was believed to be involved in a series of armed robberies that had taken place across the island.
At approximately 8:30 PM, during a routine traffic control operation on A.Th. Illidge Road, officers stopped a vehicle for further control. While verifying the occupant's identity, officers discovered that the individual was the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant. The suspect, identified by the initials M.M.M.S., was immediately taken into custody.
The individual is suspected of being involved in several armed robberies, including a robbery that occurred at a hotel in the Oyster Pond area on January 16, 2026.
Following the arrest, officers searched the vehicle the suspect had been traveling in. During this search, officers discovered a firearm along with hollow-point ammunition inside the vehicle. Both the weapon and the ammunition were confiscated and will form part of the ongoing investigation.
The suspect remains in police custody, pending further investigation.
KPSM takes this opportunity to once again warn the public about the serious dangers posed by illegal firearms within the community. The presence and use of such weapons continue to contribute to acts of violence and place innocent lives at risk.
KPSM also reminds the public that the Inter-Insular Gun Amnesty Program, commonly referred to as the Gun Buyback Project, is currently taking place across the Dutch Caribbean islands. Persons who are in possession of illegal firearms are strongly encouraged to voluntarily surrender these weapons. Turning in a firearm can help prevent violence and may save lives.
Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms or criminal activity is encouraged to contact the KPSM Tip Line at 9300. Information can be shared anonymously and may help police keep the community safe.
Public Alarm Over “Sacramento” Reference on Sint Maarten Government Payment Receipts.
PHILIPSBURG:--- A concerned citizen has raised questions after reviewing two payment receipts issued on March 5, 2026, for transactions made to the Government Administration Building and the Chamber of Commerce of Sint Maarten. The receipts, submitted to SMN-News, show successful payments but include the puzzling reference “Government St. Maarten Sacramento US.”
The payments, totaling USD 1,581.92 for a government transaction and USD 15.82 for a 1% license fee, have raised concerns that government funds are being routed abroad.
However, SMN-News understands that the issue is not linked to any bank processing error or point-of-sale terminal malfunction. Instead, it appears to stem from the financial management system used by the Government of Sint Maarten.
The system, implemented by Grant Thornton in collaboration with NetPro, a Curaçao-based technology company, reportedly generates the “Sacramento” reference as a result of its configuration. Sources indicate that the Ministry of Finance has been aware of the issue since January but has yet to resolve it. Officials confirm that the description is a system-generated anomaly and does not indicate that funds are being transferred abroad.
Despite assurances, the situation has raised public concerns about transparency and the accuracy of government financial systems. Observers emphasize that payment receipts for government transactions should clearly reflect that funds are processed within Sint Maarten, especially when involving entities like the Island Receiver.
The Ministry of Finance is expected to review and adjust the system configuration to ensure that future receipts accurately reflect the Government of Sint Maarten and do not include foreign geographic references. Citizens noticing irregularities on government receipts are encouraged to report them to the relevant authorities for investigation and correction.
Unweaving and Reweaving the Kingdom: Francio Guadeloupe Delivers Inaugural Address at the University of Amsterdam.
THE NETHERLANDS: On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Francio Guadeloupe officially accepted the position of KNAW Professor in the Public Anthropology of Kingdom Relations at the University of Amsterdam. In his powerful inaugural lecture, titled "Reweaving Dutch Caribbean Studies," Guadeloupe challenged traditional views of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He urged a fresh look at how citizens actually live across the Atlantic, dedicating his address to his late friend and teacher, Rafael Sanchez.
Guadeloupe centers his research on the daily, lived realities of the Kingdom. He argues that the European Netherlands and the Caribbean islands are not separate worlds. Instead, they interweave constantly through culture, technology, and travel. Words from Papiamento, Caribbean snacks, and music mix naturally with the Dutch language and culture across both sides of the ocean.
A major theme of his speech was circular migration. Many people move back and forth between the islands and the Netherlands for work, family, or a change of pace. Guadeloupe highlighted the dual psychological connection these citizens share. He pointed out that rigid official census categories, which often label people simply as "Caribische Nederlander," fail to capture this rich, complex reality.
He also addressed the environmental and social realities of this interconnectedness. While commercial flights and tourism bring families together, they also rely on fossil fuels and a heavily exploited labor force. He drew attention to the workers who keep the island tourist economies running, calling for an economically just and ecologically sustainable approach to Kingdom relations.
To explore these dynamics, Guadeloupe outlined four clear research lines for his professorship:
- The study of trans-Atlantic cultural and intellectual creators.
- The study of kinship and romantic relationships that span the ocean.
- The impact of Dutch tourism on both the Netherlands and the islands.
- The study of the workers and owners driving the means of production in these economies.
By focusing on what people actually do rather than the structures imposed upon them, Guadeloupe hopes to rethink the constitutional arrangement of the Kingdom. His ultimate goal, he explained, is to unweave and reweave the Kingdom of the Netherlands to help build a fairer, more equal world.