Assist
Where required, assists with the provision of analytical services, also ensures that proper disposal requirements are prescribed for the safe disposal of cannabis which is handled under the Act.
Learn MoreWhat are the functions of the BMCLA?
Develop
Develop policies, procedures and guidelines to establish the medicinal cannabis industry and to ensure that medicinal cannabis is available to patients in a safe and efficient manner.
Learn MoreProvide
Issues licences in relation to the handling of medicinal cannabis in accordance with the provisions of the Act, 2019, also provides for the distribution of educational materials etc.
Learn MoreRegulate
Regulates the handling of medicinal cannabis, with the approval of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Board, establishes and maintains an electronic database.
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From Our Community
Get the latest top news stories and updates from BMCLA and the Medicinal Cannabis Community. Find videos, articles and downloads on the latest top news stories in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medicinal Cannabis?
Medicinal Cannabis is cannabis that is grown and sold pursuant to the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2019 that includes the seeds, immature plants as well as all parts of the plant, along with resin extracted from any part of the plant, every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation from cannabis; or cannabis concentrate; that is cultivated, processed, manufactured, distributed or sold under a licence from the BMCLA. As a medicine, it is prescribed and recommended by physicians to provide a therapeutic effect.
Who can be a caregiver?
A patient may designate a person as a caregiver and that person has the responsibility for the immediate care and safety of the patient; to assist the patient with obtaining or using medicinal cannabis or to act in the best interest of the patient. A receiver appointed for a person by the Court, under the Mental Health Act Cap. 45, or where relevant a guardian in accordance with the provisions of the Mental Health Act, shall be deemed to be the caregiver of a person to who the Act applies.
A parent or legal guardian of a patient who is a minor shall be deemed to be the caregiver for that minor, unless that parent or legal guardian designates another person, or a person is designated by an order of the Court.
What is recreational cannabis?
Recreational cannabis primarily uses THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a psychoactive agent that is responsible for the ‘high’ that comes from the consumption of cannabis via inhalation by smoking/vaping recreationally or oral administration.
Who can dispense Medicinal Cannabis?
A pharmacist or authorized personnel in a pharmacy or a therapeutic facility may dispense medicinal cannabis to a patient and where applicable, to a caregiver for a patient. A pharmacist or authorized personnel in a pharmacy should only dispense medicinal cannabis on the submission by a patient, or where applicable, a caregiver, of a prescription and a valid form of identification for the patient. Upon dispensing medicinal cannabis to a patient or, where applicable, a caregiver, a pharmacist should ensure that the label given in respect of the prescription has the information required by regulations of the Pharmacy (compounding and Dispensing of Drugs and Poisons) Regulations, 1986. A pharmacist shall enter the information of the patient in a register kept by him or her and established for the purpose, in the prescribed manner:
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Conform to any requirement or limitation set by the medical practitioner as to the form of medicinal cannabis that is required in relation to the patient;
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Provide to a patient and where applicable, a caregiver, information on the lawful methods for administering medicinal cannabis in individual doses;
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Provide to a patient and where applicable, a caregiver, information on how to prevent or deter the misuse of medicinal cannabis by a minor; or
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Provide to a patient, and where applicable, a caregiver, any other information which the pharmacist may consider to be relevant.
What is Medicinal Cannabis used for?
Some people use medicinal cannabis for their health problems. Deciding if medicinal cannabis is appropriate to treat your symptoms is best done in discussion with your doctor.Research so far has suggested that cannabinoid therapy is promising for the treatment of a number of different conditions.
I am a patient that needs to change my caregiver – what do I do?
A patient who needs to change his or her caregiver should notify his or her medical practitioner of the change, and give that medical practitioner such information as the medical practitioner may require in respect of the new caregiver.