Cannabis farming set to boost agriculture, jobs, and sustainability in St. Maarten

Tribune Editorial Staff

August 15, 2025

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5 min read

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GREAT BAY--St. Maarten is moving steadily toward the legalization of cannabis, with farming at the heart of its economic, environmental, and social benefits. The island’s plan emphasizes not only the creation of a regulated cannabis market but also the regeneration of farmland, improved food security, and new opportunities for local farmers.

Central to this effort is the agricultural integration program introduced by Native Nations St. Maarten during a recent meeting in St. Peters. The program is designed to create sustainable farming opportunities for locals by combining food production with cannabis cultivation in a way that empowers farmers, revitalizes the soil, and strengthens the economy.

A large agricultural plot will be developed and subdivided for lease to farmer groups under formal agreements. Participants will be offered premium cannabis and food crop seeds at negotiated fees, along with hands-on training and technical guidance from experts with over 15 years of industry experience. The program incorporates crop rotation, enabling farmers to grow both cannabis and food crops. Cannabis cultivation will feed into uptake agreements, where Native Nations purchases each harvest at a set rate, processes it for market, and ensures full compliance with quality standards. The remaining land will be dedicated to food crops, benefiting from the soil improvements that cannabis naturally provides.

Cannabis, especially hemp, is a proven phytoremediator that draws heavy metals, toxins, and contaminants from the soil, making degraded farmland safe again for food crops after rotation. Its deep root systems prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and enhance water retention, while leftover plant biomass can be mulched back into the earth as organic matter, enriching the soil for future harvests. Hemp also requires fewer synthetic pesticides thanks to its natural pest-repelling compounds, preserving soil health and protecting pollinators.

With a short growing season, drought tolerance, and adaptability to many soil types, cannabis can thrive in marginal lands with minimal inputs, producing high biomass and creating multiple byproducts. Stalks can be repurposed for biochar, fiber, mulch, and biodegradable plastics, adding further revenue streams for farmers. In Europe, hemp is successfully rotated with crops like sunflowers and alfalfa to balance nitrogen and break pest cycles—a model that could be replicated here.

The St. Maarten initiative integrates cannabis farming with compost programs, agricultural training, product development, and food resilience projects, creating closed-loop systems where cannabis waste becomes soil amendments that boost food yields. The model also aims to attract young people to regenerative farming by connecting science, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.

A farmers market will be established adjacent to the cultivation site, giving participants the opportunity to sell their food crops directly to the public. While cannabis products will be distributed through licensed retail channels, the farmers market will focus entirely on local produce. Plans also include an agritourism component to showcase the farm-to-product journey for visitors.

St. Maarten’s cannabis legalization effort began in 2022 when the Government launched a request for proposals to develop legislation. Native Nations was selected as the preferred partner in November 2023 and officially mandated in April 2024 to design the regulatory framework. Since July 2024, an intergovernmental working group has met weekly to advance the process.

According to the Social Economic Stimulus Model developed by Native Nations, the cannabis industry is projected to create 565 jobs across cultivation, processing, retail, and administration. Outdoor hemp and food farming alone will employ more than 160 people, with additional jobs in processing facilities, security, and administrative operations.

Native Nations emphasizes that the success of the industry depends on shared opportunity, long-term planning, and a strong foundation built on local participation. Beyond the economic benefits, the program stands to transform underused land into thriving, sustainable farms, reduce chemical inputs in agriculture, and position St. Maarten as a leader in regenerative farming and cannabis-based innovation.

The Peoples' Tribune has done extensive coverage on St. Maarten's legalization push with Native Nations. See Facebook links:

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