Using Technology To Stimulate the Barbados Medical Cannabis Industry.
The Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA) recently announced the issuing of 5 new licenses for medical cannabis operations. This brings the total number of licenses issued to 18 between 7 companies. Previously only 2 entities retained legal permissions to cultivate, process or distribute cannabis products on the Caribbean island. The BMCLA passed reformed cannabis legislation in 2019 and started issuing licenses in 2022. In a move to best position the island nation as a global contender in cannabis production and destination tourism, they published a Request For Proposal (RFP) for a Software as a Service (SaaS) company to implement the necessary track-and-trace systems required by UN and international bodies to legally establish a medical cannabis regime. While many heeded the call, only one was chosen. Senator Shenika Roberts-Odle, CEO (Ag.) of BMCLA, stated, “The BMCLA selected GrowerIQ through a highly competitive global RFP process to manage tracking and reporting of all cannabis production on the island for the next five (5) years.” According to the Press Release.
GrowerIQ, CEO, Andrew Wilson told Ganjactivist.com Quarterly Magazine, “It was a wonderful process of ‘getting to know you’, and learning more about their plans for the development of the industry in Barbados. The BMCLA launched a global RFP, which we participated in. While very competitive, GrowerIQ was able to check all their functional boxes. I believe our experience in so many global markets helped, since we have incorporated many of those learnings directly into the platform. Now that we’re ready to go, the plan is to start training and onboarding licensees as soon as possible. I’m so excited to see how the industry develops in the capable hands of the BMCLA.”
The release further stated, “The software-as-a-service (SaaS) system will enable our licensees to view and track all their information and activities, improve cultivation management or the cannabis-based products, including its origin, testing results, handling, and chain-of-custody. This data tracking will also help our licensees to optimize inventory control and accurately record data including sales. It will also allow the BMCLA access and transparency to ensure regulatory compliance while safeguarding the well-being of patients.”
The BMCLA’s aspirations are clear. “With the vision of creating a brand-new medicinal cannabis industry in Barbados, the BMCLA, with GrowerIQ’s support, will establish cutting edge standards that will not only shape the regulatory landscape on the island but also serve as a benchmark for the entire region.”
For GrowerIQ, The focus is now on making sure all industry players know the system well and that it can be speedily implemented. They a full training programme licensed operators can access 24/7 online.
We will follow up with the partners for the next issue of the Ganjactivist.com Quarterly Magazine hitting newsstands across the US and Canada this November. You can read our current issue here:
About the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA): The BMCLA, which was established via the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2019, regulates the handling of the medicinal cannabis industry. The BMCLA 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 BMCLA is responsible for the issuance of licenses 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. For more information on the BMCLA, visit: www.bmcla.bb
About GrowerIQ: GrowerIQ is a leading cannabis technology company that provides advanced cannabis management systems to facilities around the world. Their innovative platform leverages data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence to optimize cannabis facilities, improve plant health, and drive operational efficiency. GrowerIQ’s intuitive software is trusted by producers worldwide to maximize yields, ensure compliance, and elevate the quality of cannabis products. Visit GrowerIQ here: