Overview about The SKNMCA
The Medicinal Cannabis Authority of St. Kitts-Nevis was established through the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill, 2020. 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.
Develop policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure that medicinal cannabis is available to patients in a safe and efficient manner;
Provide for the distribution of educational materials and conduct training programmes in relation to the development of medicinal cannabis
Review medical certificates submitted by medical doctors on behalf of a patient in accordance with the Act;
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;
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;
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;
Register patients and caregivers accordingly;
Establish and maintain a confidential register of patients
Regulate the cultivation, supply, possession and use 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
| Innovative | Independent | Research driven | Inclusive |
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, 2020. 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 |
| Customs | Health | Agriculture |
| 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.