~ People walking around with psychosis are accepted as if it's furniture in the country. ~
PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina made a passionate plea to Members of Parliament as he addressed the discussion on the legalization of cannabis in St. Maarten. Mercelina told Parliament that he reflected on how to respond to the cannabis legalization that dominated the 2025 Budget debate this week.
He informed parliament that his response was that of the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, a politician as well as a father and doctor.
Mercelina made clear that his comments should not be considered as if he is for or against the legalization of cannabis.
Mercelina said he already read on Friday morning that 71% of the new mental health cases treated at the Mental Health Foundation are due to the use and abuse of cannabis.
The Prime Minister said that as the current coalition's leader, he is aware that St. Maarten is faced with some challenges. He listed some challenges, such as health care, mental health, unemployment, criminality, and the challenges among youths in St. Maarten.
The country’s Prime Minister said there are several essential commodities St. Maarten does not have under control, yet Members of Parliament are trying to add a “huge baby” to the crib.
He warned Members of Parliament not to place the horse before the cart as St. Maarten had already made several errors in the past. Mercelina said even countries in West Europe, like the Netherlands, that are over-regulated and organized are having cannabis issues.
The Prime Minister said that the legalization of cannabis has to be appropriately organized because of its complexity.
Mercelina said Turning Point is not organized, and he can confirm that mental health is also not organized in St. Maarten.
He reflected on a statement made by Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis, who spoke of the amount of stoned youths attending schools in the morning. Mercelina lamented that they were destroying the future of the youths of St. Maarten.
The country’s Prime Minister said if they can already conclude that there are a large number of youths attending schools in stoned circumstances, then he can conclude that the future of the youths is being destroyed.
Mercelina, who is a medical doctor by profession, called on Members of Parliament to say that there is a lot of psychosis on the streets of St. Maarten that is being introduced by humankind.
The Prime Minister called on the Members of Parliament to study schizophrenia as a mental disorder that is induced by excessive use of cannabis. He lamented that if Members of Parliament still see the need to legalize cannabis in St. Maarten, they should also ensure that it is properly regulated. He asked parliament not to forget the destruction to the youths and not to forget the high percentage of psychosis, schizophrenia, and criminality all related to cannabis.
In closing off his comments on the topic of cannabis, he warned the Members of Parliament not to let any hidden agendas dominate how they decide on the legalization of cannabis since cannabis and money are green. “ do not let pecunia (money) and the hidden agendas of pecunia (money) dominate how you deal with the legalization of cannabis."
Mercelina asked the Members of Parliament to imagine what it would feel like if they were driving on the street and they saw one of their sons with psychosis, and they were in a position that could have taken care of the use of cannabis.
Asked by Member of Parliament Omar Ottley if he is pro or contra cannabis, Mercelina said if anyone listened to the recording, they would hear he said twice that he was for or against cannabis. Mercelina further stated that as a medical doctor, he gave a helicopter view of the legislation of cannabis.
Mercelina was also asked by MP Darryl York to share his personal opinion on the fees waived for lottery bosses and the closure of all casinos, Mercelina told parliament that after he caucus with his coalition partners.
