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 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.
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.
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.
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.
What is Medicinal Cannabis?
Medicinal Cannabis is cannabis that is grown and sold pursuant to the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2019 that includes the seeds, immature plants as well as all parts of the plant, along with resin extracted from any part of the plant, every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation from cannabis; or cannabis concentrate; that is cultivated, processed, manufactured, distributed or sold under a licence from the BMCLA. As a medicine, it is prescribed and recommended by physicians to provide a therapeutic effect.
How will medicinal cannabis be accessed by pharmacies and doctors for prescription to patients?
The Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority grants licenses to facilitate the cultivation, processing, transport and dispensing of medicinal cannabis to patients. The Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2019 outlines that medicinal cannabis products can be prescribed by a medical practitioner. A Pharmacy with a retail distributor's license can dispense medicinal cannabis when presented by a patient with a prescription and a valid form of identification.
Currently, there are five legally-approved medicinal cannabis drugs, placed on the National Drug Formulary for specific indications, via approval from the Minister of Health and Wellness utilising Section 12 of the Drug Abuse (Control and Prevention) Act Cap 131.
Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist for more information on accessing medicinal cannabis.