Ghana to license medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation under strict rules

Ghana is preparing to open a tightly regulated cannabis industry after Parliament approved a framework for medicinal and industrial cultivation. The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) says licensing will begin soon, but only under strict eligibility requirements, and has warned that recreational use remains illegal.

In a statement signed by Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations, NACOC explained that the new regime permits controlled cultivation and processing of cannabis with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels not exceeding 0.3 percent. The Commission stressed that licences will be reserved for qualified entities that can demonstrate robust compliance.

“Licences will be granted only to qualified entities that meet stringent requirements,” the statement read, highlighting mandatory security protocols, product traceability systems, and quality assurance standards.

Officials cautioned prospective applicants against dealing with intermediaries or groups claiming to facilitate licensing, insisting that all applications must go directly through NACOC’s Cannabis Regulations Department.

The Commission reiterated that the reforms do not legalise recreational cannabis use. Instead, the framework is designed to balance public health and safety with opportunities for lawful innovation and industrial development.

To ensure oversight, NACOC will work closely with the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghana Standards Authority, and the Food and Drugs Authority. The collaboration aims to guarantee effective monitoring and enforcement as Ghana positions itself to tap into the global medicinal and industrial cannabis market.