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.

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.

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.

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.

Using cannabis frequently (daily or almost daily) and over a long time (several months or years) can[1]:

• Hurt your lungs and make it harder to breathe, if smoked
• Cannabis smoke may contain many of the same harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke
• Affect your mental health
• Frequent use of THC based products over a long time increases the risk of cannabis dependence
• Increased risk of developing psychotic disorders
• Early exposure of cannabis use during the adolescent years can impair brain development and functioning
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease

[1] Weinstein, AM, Cohen, K. Synthetic and Non-synthetic Cannabinoid Drugs and Their Adverse Effects-A Review from Public Health Prospective. Frontiers in Public Health 2018; 6:1-8. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00162.

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.