Bryan to chair Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Board

Anthony Bryan has been appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as chair of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Board (BMCLB).

The BMCLB has been established to govern the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA), both of which were established under the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2019. As chair, Bryan, who is a business development manager with more than 20 years’ experience in competitive sales and marketing in the pharmaceutical industry, locally and regionally, will lead the policy and strategic direction as well as the governance of the BMCLA.

Speaking on his appointment, Bryan said: “I’m honoured to serve as the BMCLB’s new chair. I also look forward to working with BMCLA’s very talented leadership team to position the statutory enterprise for long-term, industry leading profitable growth.

“Based on the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2019, and its accompanied Medicinal Cannabis Regulations, 2020, we are in a great position to win in the emerging global cannabis market. As we do so, we will be diligent in our commitment to ensuring that the BMCLA meets or exceeds best practices.”

The other members of the board are: Banker, Glyne Harrison; sociologist, Dr Alana Griffith; anaesthesiologist and intensivist, Dr Adrian Waterman; Clergy (retired) Reverend Dr Gerald Seale; youth representative, Stacy Medford; Queen Asheba Avril Hinkson-Trotman and Lorenzo Harewood, both with agricultural backgrounds; and representing the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Senior Medical Officer of Health, Dr Anton Best.

Bryan added: “Our new board members are well-suited to support management, oversee corporate governance, and add shareholder value. We are fortunate to have them to help lead us forward.”

The BMCLA regulates the handling of the medicinal cannabis industry. It is responsible for developing policies, procedures and guidelines to establish the medicinal cannabis industry and to ensure medicinal cannabis is available to patients in a safe and efficient manner.

“The authority is also responsible for the issuance of licences for cultivation, processing, distribution, sale, transportation, import and export, laboratory, as well as the research and development of cannabis for medical, scientific and therapeutic purposes. (BGIS)