The Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA) is celebrating its third anniversary on January 18, 2024, with its annual Community Giveback Informational Open House. As part of the anniversary celebrations, January 19 will feature a Licencee-focused event, BAJCAN Connect: Licensed to Thrive.
On January 18, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., the BMCLA opens the doors to its brand new office upstairs in Wildey Mall, Wildey Main Road, St. Michael, to the public for its annual Open House event. The event provides the general public with the opportunity to meet with members of the BMCLA Team to ask any questions they have relative to the medicinal cannabis industry.
Appointments are open for new and potential applicants, those who need assistance with the required documents, or persons who want to meet with the Co-operatives Department. Persons are invited to book their free 40-minute appointments on the BMCLA’s website or show up to the downstairs pop-up for more information.
There is also the chance to win one of three prizes with the purchase of the BAJCAN Cannabis Magazine for just $10 cash. Win lunch for two from Café L’Belle, a mani-pedi from Strands Hair & Nail Studio, or a car battery of choice with free checks from Courtesy Garage Limited.
Communications and Public Education Specialist, Tracy Moore, said: “The Open House continues to be an excellent avenue to connect with prospective and existing applicants at all levels, including our licencees. It’s also crucial that the necessary information reaches the public, and we’ve done that. Our website and social media platforms are populated with information. However, we acknowledge that sometimes you really just need to sit and have a conversation one-on-one face-to-face.”
“Every question can’t be answered within a document or during a phone call, so we have created that human link to give people the opportunity to connect with the team within the BMCLA. We look forward to persons coming down to our new home with all of their questions for a day of celebration and education,” she added.
In addition to the Open House, the BMCLA will also be hosting an event specifically for licencees on January 19, 2024, called BAJCAN Connect: Licensed to Thrive. This closed event brings licencees and applicants who are close to submitting their applications together with the support services they require in order to push their businesses forward.
“I always reiterate that the BMCLA is a regulator and not a facilitator, however, without conflicting this fact, we are still here to ensure the medicinal cannabis industry within Barbados is successful. With our Licensed to Thrive event, we set the scene for support services, licencees, and late-stage applicants to start that initial conversation and see where it takes them. We wanted to assess what our licencees and applicants needed and meet that requirement within a secure and controlled environment. From security, lighting, and infrastructure to real estate, lawyers, and accountants, we hope to have a well-rounded and diverse group of providers ready for discussions,” said Chief Executive Officer (Ag.), Shanika Roberts-Odle.
For more information on the medicinal cannabis industry or the BMCLA, visit www.bmcla.bb