Overview

The Medicinal Cannabis Authority of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was established through the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2018. It is a body corporate with an overarching objective to regulate the cultivation, supply, possession, production and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. This objective is consistent with the 1961 United Nation’s (UN) Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and the 1972 Protocol (Single Convention amendment), which permit the production, manufacture, export, import, distribution of, trade in, use and possession of cannabis as it relates to medical and scientific purposes.

Our key functions:

  1. Develop policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure that medicinal cannabis is available to patients in a safe and efficient manner;
  2. Regulate the cultivation, supply, possession and use of medicinal cannabis;
  3. Review medical certificates submitted by medical doctors on behalf of a patient in accordance with the Act;
  4. Issue licences and other authorisations in relation to the cultivation, supply, use and possession of medicinal cannabis in accordance with the provisions of the Act and Regulations made pursuant to the Act;
  5. Develop enforcement procedures in relation to the inspection of premises that are operated by licensees in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act or any Regulations made pursuant to the Act;
  6. Register patients and caregivers accordingly;
  7. Establish and maintain an electronic database to include information relating to patients, medical doctors, licensees, medical certificates and identification cards and to provide for the electronic tracking of the cultivation, supply, possession and use of medicinal cannabis in accordance with this Act or Regulations made pursuant to the Act;
  8. Establish and maintain a confidential register of patients; and
  9. Provide for the distribution of educational materials and conduct training programmes in relation to the development of medicinal cannabis

To accomplish these functions, we work to support medicinal cannabis licensees in complying with their legal obligations and take action to address non-compliance where necessary. We promote best practices and, in doing so, we strive to exemplify these practices and high values. Furthermore, we endeavour to ensure that we operate at the highest standards of governance, accountability, transparency and integrity.

Our Values

Our key functions:

INDEPENDENCE

We take decisions independently and in the public interest. We stand by our actions and decisions and take responsibility for them.
 

OPENNESS

We take an open and transparent approach to our work. We make information available on how we operate and about the industry we regulate.

PROPORTIONALITY

We regulate the entire industry in a proportionate way, targeting the resources available to us at areas of greatest risk. We recognise the diversity of size and capacity among the organizations and licensees which we regulate.

LEARNING

Our actions and decisions are informed by evidence and results of sound research, and are embedded in a learning culture. We continually seek ways to improve how we do our work and strive to be respected and reliable in our field.

ENGAGEMENT

We communicate with and listen to our stakeholders and monitor International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) reports and global trends. We seek to anticipate and address regulatory issues of concern to the INCB.
 

PATIENCE AND CONSUMER-FOCUS

We continuously strive to ensure consistent quality, look, feel and image of Medicinal Cannabis products and position our organisational structures to match and exceed consumer expectations and to provide them with the highest value.

FAIRNESS

We operate fairly and impartially. We apply our policies, regulations and procedures consistently and give reasons for our actions and decisions.

Mission Statement

“To regulate the Medicinal Cannabis Industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the public interest so as to ensure compliance with the law and support best practice in the cultivation, manufacture, management, governance, and administration of the Medicinal Cannabis Industry.”


Vision Statement

“The best regulated, vibrant, trusted and sustainable Medicinal Cannabis Industry that is valued for the public benefit it provides.”


Board of Medical Cannabis Authority

The Medicinal Cannabis Authority is governed by a Board of Directors, established under the framework of the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2018. This Board is responsible for the policy, strategic direction and governance of the Authority. The Board comprises senior representatives from ministries and statutory bodies that are integral to the mandate of the authority:

Agriculture Legal Affairs
Finance National Investment Promotion Agency (InvestSVG)
Health Bureau of Standards
National Security Land and Surveys

Included in the Board composition are also professionals from the private sector who possess specialist knowledge and experience essential to the strategic positioning of the Authority including medicine, law, engineering, scientific research, business, land development and agriculture. The Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drug, established under the Drugs (Prevention and Misuse) Act sits on the Board of Directors to provide guidance on matters relevant to his expertise.