The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has announced that it will commence the licensing of cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes following parliamentary approval of the regulatory framework governing the sector.
The move marks a significant step in Ghana’s implementation of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), which permits the controlled cultivation of cannabis with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content not exceeding 0.3 percent for industrial and medicinal applications.
According to NACOC, the approval of the regulatory framework provides the legal clarity and operational guidelines required to process applications, monitor compliance and enforce strict controls over production, distribution and export. The Commission indicated that the licensing regime will be governed by stringent background checks, security requirements and ongoing inspections to prevent diversion into illegal markets.
Under the law, cannabis cultivation in Ghana remains illegal for recreational purposes. However, the amended legal framework allows for the development of an industrial hemp sector aimed at supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing, textile production, cosmetics, food processing and other value-added industries.
Industry stakeholders have described the development as a potential economic opportunity, citing the growing global demand for medical cannabis products and hemp-based industrial materials. Analysts suggest that a properly regulated cannabis industry could attract foreign direct investment, create jobs and expand export earnings if managed transparently and efficiently.
NACOC has assured the public that the licensing process will be transparent and guided strictly by the provisions of the law. The Commission also emphasised that enforcement against illegal cultivation and trafficking will continue alongside the rollout of the legal industrial framework.
The implementation phase is expected to begin with the publication of detailed licensing requirements and application procedures in the coming weeks.