Barbados’ first medicinal marijuana farm is already operating and the first dispensing facility is to commence operations over the next year.

This has been disclosed by the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority, Senator Shanika Roberts-Odle.

As debate on the appropriations bill continued in the upper chamber of parliament, she provided an update on Barbados’ efforts to establish a medicinal cannabis industry.

She notes that several licenses have been approved.

Senator Roberts-Odle also gave the assurance that locals will not be shut out of the sector and urged them to get involved.

She highlighted the potential for cooperatives and other forms of collaboration.