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 Cannabis?
Cannabis means all parts of any plant of the genus cannabis including any resin obtained from the plant.
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 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.
Prohibition against supply of medicinal cannabis
Prohibition against supply of medicinal cannabis A person shall not cultivate, supply, possess, or obtain medicinal cannabis for any of the purposes specified under the Act, unless that person is the holder of the relevant licenses issued pursuant to the Act. A person who cultivates, supplies, possesses, transports or obtains medicinal cannabis for any of the purposes specified under the Act without a relevant license is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment, of a fine of 15 times the value of the medicinal cannabis cultivated, supplied, possessed, or obtained or to imprisonment for a term of 10 years, or to both.
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.
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.