Barbados on the home stretch to launch its medical cannabis industry

The latest developments suggest that Barbados is closer than ever to launch its national medical cannabis industry. Last July, the Barbados Cannabis Authority announced a new partnership with tech company GrowerIQ, which will manage the tracking and reporting of all cannabis production on the island.

The partnership aims to «set industry-leading standards» not only for the island's burgeoning medical cannabis industry, but for the region as a whole.

A spokesperson for Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA) told Business of Cannabis «BMCLA intends to continue to develop policies and guidelines that should create an environment for the industry to create high quality, targeted medical cannabis products, manufactured with a distinctive Bajan flavor and excellent added value, and that can stand out in the international market as a reflection of a creative Barbadian vision and great value for Barbados.»

Cannabis in Barbados

Barbados, like the neighboring Caribbean islands, has a long history with cannabis, which has always been in great demand.

This history has led to particularly strict rules on cannabis possession and cultivation. Until recently, anyone charged with possession for personal use could be fined up to 112,000 US dollars or face up to five years in prison, while those found in possession of more than 15 grams could be charged with «trafficking» and face up to life imprisonment.

However, in 2019, the Barbadian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mia Mottley, passed the Medical Cannabis Industry Act, with regulation to follow in 2020.

BMCLA explained that, in an effort to ensure that «the deployment was as inclusive as possible,» the Joint Select Committee solicited presentations from the public on their expectations of the medical cannabis industry.

A «cannabis» unit under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition was also created in 2019 to facilitate the rollout of the medical cannabis industry, with a team tasked with studying and interrogating best practices from around the world, including those of regional partners such as Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who have already opened up their cannabis industry.

«Once this groundwork had been done and the legislation passed after much consultation, BMCLA opened its doors to the public on January 18, 2021.»

In December 2020, in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, which had significantly impacted the island's economy, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Indar Weir, said, «The industry needs to get going... (The economic benefits are) something we can't ignore. We need to capitalize on our position now.»

In September 2020, a referendum was held, which saw the decriminalization of possession up to 14 grams of cannabis, with those caught being fined $200 in the form of a «fixed penalty notice», similar to a traffic ticket.

A vision for the future

After just under two years in existence, BMCLA has approved nine licensees, for a total of 18 licenses.

Barbados' licensing structure comprises eight distinct categories with different levels, covering everything from micro-growers to importers, exporters, laboratories and retail distributors.

This last category allows licensees to establish a «therapeutic establishment», a place where one can receive a prescription for medicinal cannabis from a pharmacist and consume it on the premises under the care and attention of health professionals.

«This enables the development of spa-type medical tourism, where the facility can be located on a beach or in the beautiful Barbadian countryside, where you can also enjoy the atmosphere,» explained the regulator.

What's more, licenses are granted for a five-year, all-inclusive period, enabling licensees «not only to get their business off the ground, but also to have the opportunity to grow without having to worry about annual renewal fees».

With the foundations laid for the island's businesses to thrive, the new partnership with BMCLA marks the start of the next phase, during which the organization will focus on guaranteeing quality products and «transparency to ensure regulatory compliance while safeguarding patient welfare».