The Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA) has announced that Senator Shanika Roberts-Odle is its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Ag.), effective July 1, 2022.
Roberts-Odle was the Programme Administrator at the BMCLA and served as second in command to the former CEO Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, assisting as advisor and administrator on the medicinal cannabis industry implementation.
She will now focus her efforts on industry growth, education, continuing to manage the BMCLA staff and resources, while reporting to the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Board (BMCLB).
“Senator Roberts-Odle unique résumé is ideally suited to lead the BMCLA at this time, as we continue to roll out the industry’s strategic plan, especially with new licensees approved and ready to work,” said BMCLB Chairman Anthony Bryan.
“Senator Roberts-Odle worked alongside former CEO Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight as one of the initial authors of the industry guides and worked with the Attorney General’s office to ensure a strong framework. She played a pivotal role in incubating this new industry and we can now take that work to the next level.”
Over the past three years, Senator Roberts-Odle worked in the Cannabis Unit to create the groundwork for the newly launched medicinal cannabis industry as the Programme Administrator, where she was responsible for developing training programmes for the medicinal cannabis industry; developing and implementing the necessary administrative and operational requirements for the industry alongside establishing the industry’s research programme.
“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to lead the BMCLA team to continue to push the industry upward and onward. Our aim is to streamline the process, create programmes which give greater opportunities for local participation and investment, and build out the sector while encouraging innovation and new models of business,” said Senator Roberts-Odle.
“We are incredibly proud of the hard work and lessons learned over the last three years moving from the Cannabis Unit into a fully rolled out Cannabis Industry.”
In addition to her position at the BMCLA, she also serves as one of the new senators of the Barbados’ Government. She’s earned upper second class honours in Political Science and Public Sector Management and has her Master’s in International Trade Policy.