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 Cannabidiol (CBD)?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the bioactive compounds and naturally occurring cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. It is one of the most medically relevant chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, but it’s different from THC because of its opposing antagonistic effect compared to THC. It is also not as psychoactive as THC and is noted more for its medicinal effects.
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.
Why is smoking cannabis for medical purposes not permitted?
There are two major concerns regarding smoking medicinal cannabis.
Firstly, smoking is a particularly harmful way of taking medicinal cannabis, mainly because it poses comparable risks for bronchitis and lung cancer, as is the smoking of cigarettes. Smoking medicinal cannabis is not permitted by local or international Health authorities.
Secondly, approved medicines used in Barbados are produced under strict conditions to ensure efficacy and safety. It is important that medical doctors know that medicines have been tested and are standardized by dose and therapeutic response. This means doctors can monitor the effects of the drug and doses can be adjusted according to a patient’s needs.
It is understood that smoked cannabis will not be prescribed in Barbados because smoked plant products will not satisfy governmental requirements.
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 adult use vs. recreational use of cannabis?
There is really no difference between the terms of adult use and recreational use of cannabis. However, the term “adult-use” while is for better optics, it comes from the notion that not all consumers of cannabis are consuming solely for recreational purposes. Cannabis can and is utilized for many reasons that go beyond the recreational/ medicinal cannabis binary.
Can my license be revoked?
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The BMCLA can suspend or revoke a license where:
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the person issued the license is convicted of an offence under the Act;
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the person issued with the license contravenes a term of condition of the license granted under the Act.
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the Minister requires the suspension or revocation of the license in the interest of public health or public safety.
For more about the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act please click here
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