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.
Learn MoreOur Latest News & Opportunities
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 are the long-term effects of cannabis use?
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.
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.
What are the effects of cannabis on pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Cannabis use is discouraged during pregnancy and during nursing. Substances in cannabis can transfer from the mother to child and can affect your unborn or newborn baby.
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.
What is the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA)?
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.