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
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.
Who cannot be a caregiver?
A person who is under the age of 18 years, or who is addicted to cannabis, shall not be designated as a caregiver.
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.
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.
I am a patient that needs to change my caregiver – what do I do?
A patient who needs to change his or her caregiver should notify his or her medical practitioner of the change, and give that medical practitioner such information as the medical practitioner may require in respect of the new caregiver.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis means all parts of any plant of the genus cannabis including any resin obtained from the plant.