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.

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.

16. Can a minor be prescribed medicinal cannabis?

According to the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2019 the parent or guardian of a patient who is a minor shall obtain a certificate in writing from a medical practitioner certifying that the use of medicinal cannabis is necessary in the case of that minor, and the parent or guardian shall consent in writing to the use of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of the minor.

The Act also states that 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.

Any person who is under the age of 18 years shall not be designated as a caregiver.

17. How will sale of medicinal cannabis to minors be addressed, particularly in light of those studies that suggest adolescents and pre-adolescents are more susceptible to negative psychological and medical consequences from using cannabis?

There will be no sale of medicinal cannabis to minors. Possession of cannabis on or near school premises, the inclusion of a child or young person in the drug trade and the purchase of cannabis from a child or young person is illegal and on indictment could result in imprisonment for life (Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act Chapter 131).

A parent or guardian of a patient who is a minor or young person can access medicinal cannabis via mechanisms described above. However, a person who is under the age of 18 years shall not be designated as a caregiver of a minor or young person.

Important Note:Cannabis affects the same biological system in the brain that is responsible for brain development. The earlier you start consuming cannabis, the more harm it can do. Starting as a teen, consuming frequently (daily or near daily) and over a long time (several months or years) increases the risk of mental health problems. These problems include dependence and disorders related to psychosis, anxiety and depression. [1] For more information, visit your doctor.

[1] Chadwick B, Miller ML, Hurd YL. Cannabis use during adolescent development: Susceptibility to psychiatric illness. Front Psychiatry 2013 Oct 14;4:129.

The Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority grants licenses to facilitate the cultivation, processing, transport and dispensing of medicinal cannabis to patients. The Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2019 outlines that medicinal cannabis products can be prescribed by a medical practitioner. A Pharmacy with a retail distributor's license can dispense medicinal cannabis when presented by a patient with a prescription and a valid form of identification.

Currently, there are five legally-approved medicinal cannabis drugs, placed on the National Drug Formulary for specific indications, via approval from the Minister of Health and Wellness utilising Section 12 of the Drug Abuse (Control and Prevention) Act Cap 131.

Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist for more information on accessing medicinal cannabis.

The Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA) is the sole regulator, that is mandated to create and position the local medicinal cannabis industry as a global centre of excellence in training, certification, research and development and to provide a high quality, accessible and advanced patient-centric environment to qualifying individuals.

The BMCLA also ensures that the safety of the public and consumers of medicinal cannabis and its by-products are adequately protected, by appropriately regulating the importation, sale, distribution, possession, purchase, manufacture, cultivation, transportation and exportation of medicinal cannabis.