PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The ministry of VSA has taken note of the recent discussion regarding medical marijuana and would like to inform that the Inspectorate of VSA has been working on a draft policy for medical marijuana which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the second quarter. Given the current status of evidence- based data from (clinical) research and experience in several countries, the iNspectorate VSA is of the opinion that this is a treatment option that may benefit patients, if available on Sint Maarten.
The draft policy was initiated in March 2018 band the objective is to create a policy., which takes into consideration the existing legal framework and makes it possible to import, store, distribute, prescribe and dispense medical cannabis in a controlled manner.
The project started based on a request from various stakeholders including medical professionals. The medicinal cannabis falls under the Opium ordinance and such, the legal framework is there. The patient would require safe legal access to affordable, high quality medicinal cannabis. When the policy is completed and legislation has been approved, the Inspectorate will ensure that the respective information is made public and accessible to the community and press.
Medicinal cannabis is cannabis that is specifically produced and destined to alleviate certain health conditions. There has been evidence based tests to which medicinal cannabis has been successful, for some people suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses, conventional medicines do not work, or do not work as effectively as medicinal cannabis. Also, for some patients, conventional medicines may work but cause debilitating side effects that cannabis can help to relieve.
