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 does a caregiver need?
A person designated as a caregiver under this Act shall obtain from a medical practitioner a certificate that states that the caregiver is not dependent on a controlled drug.
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.
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.
What are the short-term effects of cannabis use or THC based products?
Everyone's response to cannabis differs and can vary from one time to the next.
Like any other drug, cannabis can:
- Impair your ability to drive safely or operate heavy equipment
- It can cause drowsiness, slow reaction times, lower your ability to pay attention and impair coordination
- Affect your mental capacity
- Impair your concentration, memory and decision-making, and can impact your ability to perform well on the job or at school.[1]
- Cause euphoria (a high) it can also cause anxiety or panic.[2]
- In rare cases, cannabis can trigger a psychotic episode (not knowing what is real, experiencing paranoia, having disorganized thoughts and, in some cases, hallucinating).[3]
[1] [2] [3] World Health Organization (WHO). The health and social effects of nonmedical cannabis use.
What is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the active ingredient and naturally occurring cannabinoids in cannabis. It is the cannabinoid with the greatest psychoactive effect. It is considered to be the most active form, producing characteristic mood and associated perceptual changes.