The Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA) will be celebrating its second anniversary on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, with a week of activities that includes education and engagement with the public, the health sector and investors.
The week of events are:
- Jan 16, 2023 – Launch of BMCLA Cannabis Crash Course – Term 2 partnered with the University of the West Indies (UWI) – Future Learn Courses – open to the public via registration on https://www.bmcla.bb/blog.
- Jan 17, 2023 – BMCLA Health Forum, Island Inn, Aquatic Gap, Bay Street, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. For the health sector only via registration.
- Jan 18, 2023 – BMCLA Open House, Hero’s Square, Bridgetown, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. open to the public – walk-in or appointment via https://www.bmcla.bb/blog.
- Jan 19, 2023 – BMCLA Mix & Mingle, Island Inn, Aquatic Gap, Bay Street, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Invitation only via registration.
Communications and Public Education Specialist with the BMCLA, Tracy Moore said, “These forums are the BMCLA’s continued initiatives to educate and engage stakeholders while ensuring transparency and equity within this developing local industry. It is our hope that persons come out and be informed and involved in the medicinal cannabis industry.”
”The BMCLA Health Forum on Jan 17, 2023 will provide an opportunity to engage the health sector to provide real scope about the medicinal cannabis industry while looking at the important role the health sector plays in the industry. It will also be an opportunity to hear feedback and address any lingering concerns. The BMCLA Mix and Mingle on January 19, 2023 will allow for licensees and potential licensees (applicants in the last steps of the application process) to be in a room with potential investors, industry partners and select members of the industry support sector with the objective to meet and discuss industry opportunities,” she explained.
Moore noted that while two of the four events – the Health Forum which is specifically for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists and the Mix & Mingle which is specifically for industry participants, the educational campaign and the Open House are open to the public.
The BMCLA Cannabis Crash Course Term 2 will have online classes available free to all, while the BMCLA Open House on January 18, 2023 will have the officers of the BMCLA go into the public space to provide important industry information.
“We did the Open House last year and we had an overwhelming response so we decided to make it bigger this year by engaging the public in the beautiful City of Bridgetown where we can assist anyone who is interested to know more about the medicinal cannabis industry or need assistance in entering the industry on a one-on-one bases,” she said.
Moore explained that these forums were very important because the industry was growing steadily from last year to this year.
“Last year, we announced that two (2) licensees with a combined nine (9) licenses had been approved. This year we have an addtional three (3) licensees with a combined six (6) licenses approved by the Board. We also have two (2) applicants at the pre-approval stage with one license each and there are currently a few more before the Board for review. So as the industry grows we need to ensure that those persons who are applying and receiving their licenses and those persons who are our valued partners and stakeholders as well as industry investors are all growing together under the regulatory framework,” she added.
In addition to the events and activities, Moore urged all service providers to get in touch with the BMCLA during this week of activities via socialmedia@bmcla.bb so that they too can participate and grow within the medicinal cannabis industry through the BMCLA Classifieds.
The BMCLA Classifieds allow applicants and licensees to have a way to contact service providers like security firms, fencing and lighting companies, accountants, lawyers, administrative workers, real estate agents; and anyone else who can benefit from the industry with their products and services via all BMCLA public platforms. (PR/GIS)
