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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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 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.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis means all parts of any plant of the genus cannabis including any resin obtained from the plant.
What are the effects of cannabis on pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Cannabis use is discouraged during pregnancy and during nursing. Substances in cannabis can transfer from the mother to child and can affect your unborn or newborn baby.
I’m a Patient how do I access Medicinal Cannabis?
11. How do you get medicinal cannabis?
A patient can only get access to medicinal cannabis as a prescription by a medical practitioner.
That prescription can only be filled by a pharmacist or authorised personnel in a pharmacy or therapeutic facility.
A pharmacist or authorised personnel in a pharmacy shall only dispense or supply medicinal cannabis on the submission by a patient or where applicable, a caregiver, of a prescription and a valid form of identification.
Upon dispensing medicinal cannabis to a patient (or, where applicable, a caregiver), a pharmacist or authorised personnel shall ensure that the label given in respect of the prescription has the information required by Pharmacy (Compounding and Dispensing of Drugs and Poisons) Regulations, 1986.
A pharmacist shall enter the information in a register kept by him/her and established for that purpose, in the prescribed manner.
A person who consumes medicinal cannabis without being authorised to use medicinal cannabis by a prescription or recommendation from a medical practitioner is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $100 000 or to imprisonment for a term of 10 years or to both.
12. How is medicinal cannabis administered?
Medical cannabis can be administered by a variety of formulations which may include vapours, tinctures, oromucosal sprays, oral forms, transdermal patches, ointments and suppositories.
13. Will there be rigorous testing done to medicinal cannabis?
The BMCLA in conjunction with accredited testing laboratories will facilitate the testing of medicinal cannabis to ensure the products meet safety and efficacy requirements.
14. Will there be clear guidelines for prescribing medicinal cannabis for the use of patients or will doctors be left to experiment?
The BMCLA and its Board, are responsible for regulating the medicinal cannabis industry, through the formulation and implementation of appropriate policies, procedures and guidelines, as well as establishing the code of practice for practitioners in the industry. We work closely with the Ministry of Health and Wellness via its regulatory bodies such as the Barbados Drug Service to ensure safe and evidence-based treatment options for patients. Currently, there are five legally-approved medicinal cannabis drugs, placed on the National Drug Formulary. Patients can access these drugs under the provisions of Section 12 of the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act Cap 131.
15. Are there dose limitations?
In circumstances where a prescription by a medical practitioner requires repeated usage over a period of 3 months, a pharmacy or therapeutic facility shall not dispense to that patient more than 30-day supply of individual does at a time.
What are the functions of the BMCLA?
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develops 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;
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regulates the handling of medicinal cannabis;
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issues licences in relation to the handling of medicinal cannabis in accordance with the provisions of the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act;
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develops enforcement procedures in relation to the inspection of premises that are operated by a person in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act or any regulations made pursuant to this Act;
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where required, assists with the provision of analytical services;
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with the approval of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Board, establishes and maintains an electronic database to:
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Collect, collate and include information relating to persons who handle medicinal cannabis or cannabis in accordance with this Act; and
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Provide for the electronic tracking of the handling of medicinal cannabis or cannabis in accordance with the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act;
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with the approval of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Board, requests from the Minister of Health such information as may assist the BMCLA with its functions;
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provides for the distribution of educational materials and the conduct of training programmes in relation to the development and use of medicinal cannabis and the medicinal cannabis industry;
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ensures that proper disposal requirements are prescribed for the safe disposal of cannabis which is handled under the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act;
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performs such other functions assigned to it under the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act or any other enactment; and
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enters into any arrangement, which, in the opinion of the BMCLA, is necessary to ensure the proper performance of its functions.
What is Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemicals which interact with the endocannabinoid system in mammals. These can be found in the Cannabis plant (phytocannabinoids), endogenously derived (endocannabinoids) or synthesised chemically. Research has found that the cannabis plant produces approximately 120 cannabinoids and about 300 non-cannabinoid chemicals. The two main clinically relevant cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The most commonly known of the two is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the chemical that is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis.