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.

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.

• 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;

• regulates the handling of medicinal cannabis;

• issues licences in relation to the handling of medicinal cannabis in accordance with the provisions of the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act;

• 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;

• where required, assists with the provision of analytical services;

• with the approval of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Board, establishes and maintains an electronic database to:

  • Collect, collate and include information relating to persons who handle medicinal cannabis or cannabis in accordance with this Act; and

  • Provide for the electronic tracking of the handling of medicinal cannabis or cannabis in accordance with the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act;

• 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;

• 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;

• ensures that proper disposal requirements are prescribed for the safe disposal of cannabis which is handled under the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act;

• performs such other functions assigned to it under the Barbados Medicinal Industry Act or any other enactment; and

• enters into any arrangement, which, in the opinion of the BMCLA, is necessary to ensure the proper performance of its functions.

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.