The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Cannabis Authority’s chairman yesterday asserted the Government is taking a "measure twice, cut once" approach to launching the medical marijuana industry with officials prioritising a thorough regulatory roll-out over meeting previously announced timelines.

Dr Lynwood Brown, speaking to Tribune Business, acknowledged that the Authority had previously targeted the end of June or early July for the launch of the licensing process, but said internal matters that needed to be resolved required additional time.

"The Cannabis Authority has been meeting, and there are some issues the Authority has to resolve internally before we can come to market for the Bahamian people," said Dr Brown. "In my previous comments, I gave a timeline of the end of June or early July, but those issues had to be resolved first, and they took longer than we anticipated."

He said the delays reflect the Government's desire to ensure the regulatory framework is properly implemented before applications are accepted.

"The Government and the Ministry [of Health and Wellness] are being extra cautious because we have one opportunity to get this right. Sometimes we have to measure two, maybe three times before we cut once. I appreciate the cautious approach the Government is taking, even though that caution sometimes requires extending the timeline to make sure we dot every 'i' and cross every 't'‘," Dr Brown said.

He also outlined how the licensing system will operate once the Authority's online application portal opens. Dr Brown said applicants will first select the category of licence they are seeking, whether for personal medical use or as a commercial operator, such as a cultivator, manufacturer or dispensary.

The portal will then guide applicants through the required documentation, including information such as Business Licences, principals and other supporting material. Once submitted, applications will undergo an initial review by compliance officers, who will identify any deficiencies and request additional information where necessary.

Dr Brown said those applications will then be vetted with the assistance of law enforcement and other agencies before being presented to the Cannabis Authority's Board for a final decision.

"The compliance officers will vet the applications using other agencies, including the police and other relevant authorities. Once that vetting process is completed, the applications will come before the Board, which will decide whether to approve them, request further information or deny them,” he added.

Dr Brown also clarified the role pharmacies will play in the emerging medicinal cannabis industry, noting they will be permitted to participate but will be subject to additional regulatory requirements.

Under the legislation, pharmacies wishing to dispense medicinal cannabis must obtain a separate licence from the Cannabis Authority and establish a dedicated dispensary area that is physically separate from their existing pharmacy operations.

He added that licensed pharmacists will play a central role in the industry. "Pharmacists are inextricably linked to this entire industry because there can be no dispensary without pharmacist oversight. No one will be allowed to operate a dispensary in the absence of a licensed, registered pharmacist overseeing it,” Dr Brown said.

He said the separate dispensing areas are intended to ensure appropriate controls over cannabis products and prevent unnecessary exposure to minors visiting pharmacies.

The Cannabis Authority was established to oversee the licensing and regulation of The Bahamas' medicinal cannabis industry following the passage of legislation designed to create a legal framework for the cultivation, manufacture, dispensing and medical use of cannabis.