GREAT BAY--Senior Lecturer and cannabis researcher Dr. Machel A. Emanuel of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica, will examine a decade of cannabis reform across the Caribbean when he addresses St. Maarten’s national cannabis symposium on Friday, August 14.
Dr. Emanuel will present on “Caribbean Cannabis Reform Policies,” focusing on how governments across the region have approached regulation, licensing, public health, economic opportunities and social inclusion, as well as the challenges that continue to affect the development of legal cannabis industries.
The symposium, “Building the Future of Cannabis Regulation,” will be hosted by the Cannabis Legislative Inter-Ministerial Work Group at the University of St. Martin from 6:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday, August 14, 2026. Admission is free, but registration is required due to limited seating.
The event will bring together government representatives, healthcare professionals, researchers, academics, business representatives and members of the community for discussions on evidence-based approaches to public health, economic development and responsible cannabis regulation in St. Maarten.
Dr. Emanuel is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, and Principal Investigator of the Life Science Cannabis Research Group.
His research team examines cannabis reform policy across the Caribbean, as well as the application, efficacy and quality assurance of tropical horticultural practices for the production of Cannabis sativa. His work also includes collaboration with Humboldt Seed Company in the development of cannabis germplasm suited for equatorial cultivation.
The research group has received grant funding from BioBizz Worldwide Organics to advance sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in cannabis production.
Dr. Emanuel also serves as Vice-Chair of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica Cannabis Technical Committee, which is involved in developing standards for Jamaica’s cannabis industry. He has served as a technical advisor and consultant to the governments of Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis in their efforts to establish regulated cannabis industries.
In Jamaica, he is an appointed member of the Ministry of Investment and Commerce Cannabis Taskforce. He was also included in Leaf Nation’s 2024 Impact List of individuals making an impact in the cannabis sector.
During his presentation in St. Maarten, Dr. Emanuel will examine the different cannabis reform models adopted by CARICOM member states over the past 10 years, including the establishment of six cannabis licensing authorities and efforts to develop vertically integrated cannabis supply chains for domestic and export markets.
His presentation will address how international treaty obligations have influenced the development of legal markets primarily around medical, therapeutic and scientific use, while several jurisdictions have also made provisions related to religious freedom and reduced criminal penalties.
Dr. Emanuel will also examine some of the difficulties encountered as Caribbean countries attempt to translate cannabis reform into functioning industries. These include high compliance costs, coordination challenges among regulatory agencies, foreign investment pressures and limited access to banking services.
A central part of his presentation will consider cannabis reform within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His analysis identifies particularly strong links with goals covering decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, good health and well-being, responsible production, protection of the environment, and strong institutions.
His presentation will explore why achieving those objectives requires more than establishing laws and regulatory systems, with attention also being placed on locally appropriate regulation, social inclusion and effective coordination among the agencies responsible for implementation.
Dr. Emanuel is one of several featured speakers at the symposium. Other announced speakers include medical cannabis physician Dr. Joseph Rosado, cannabis researcher and advocate Ras Iroy, and legal and policy expert Leandra Leslie-Cijntje.
The symposium forms part of ongoing efforts to support the development of St. Maarten’s cannabis legislative framework through evidence, education and regulation.
Members of the public can register through www.workgroupsxm.com. Attendance is free, with seating available on a limited basis.
Join Our Community Today
Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to receive
breaking news, updates, and more.
