After years of legislative “stop-and-go,” the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has officially announced it will begin issuing licences for the cultivation of medicinal and industrial cannabis. This milestone follows Parliament’s approval of the long-awaited regulatory and cost framework, a final hurdle that has kept Ghana’s entry into the estimated $100 billion global cannabis industry on ice for over half a decade. However, beneath the headline of progress lies a complex history of delays that leaves many asking if the wait is truly over, or if the industry is simply entering a new phase of regulatory uncertainty.
The journey to this point has been marked by a “forever wait” that tested the patience of investors and farmers alike. It began with high hopes in 2020 when the Narcotics Control Commission Act (Act 1019) was first passed, promising to transform the economy by allowing the cultivation of industrial hemp. Yet, the road was blocked by a long delay in maturing a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) and a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that struck down key provisions, nearly killing the dream. It took an amendment in 2023 and another long stretch of parliamentary debate to finally give the green light for licensing to begin.
The 2023 amendment was deliberately cautious, limiting THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) levels to 0.3% and restricting production to industrial and medical use only. Recreational cannabis remains prohibited.
Industry experts have however flagged the levels noting that the low THC cap is already constraining investor interest, particularly in medical research and pharmaceutical applications, where higher THC levels are often required.
The “Fee” Factor and Regulatory Ambiguity
While NACOC’s latest statement confirms that the cost framework has been ratified by Parliament, a significant cloud of uncertainty remains. The Commission has not yet publicly released the finalized fee schedule for the various licence categories, which include cultivation, processing, transportation, and laboratory testing. Previous draft proposals suggested astronomical figures, with some tiers potentially reaching $45,000, sparking fears that the industry might only be accessible to those with massive financial muscle. Without these official figures, “legalisation” remains a theoretical victory for the average Ghanaian entrepreneur who is yet to know the true cost of entry.
Weeks or Years? The Next Steps for the Industry
Despite the optimism shared by groups like the Chamber of Cannabis Industry Ghana, it remains unclear if cultivation, transportation, and processing will begin in a matter of weeks or if another long wait lies ahead. NACOC has emphasized that licences will only be granted to “qualified entities” that meet stringent requirements, including robust security protocols, product traceability systems, and recognized quality assurance standards. Setting up this infrastructure is a capital-intensive task that cannot be completed overnight, and the requirement for full compliance with international conventions means the transition from paperwork to a physical harvest could still take a significant amount of time.
A Pivotal but Cautious Step Forward
For now, the launch of the licensing regime positions Ghana among a growing number of African countries seeking to tap into the global medicinal market. Regulators are focused on balancing commercial opportunity with strict oversight to ensure the sector does not bleed into illicit trade. While the green light from Parliament is an important step toward building a structured and internationally credible cannabis sector, the industry continues to look to NACOC for the final pieces of the puzzle, the transparent publication of fees and a clear timeline for the first legal harvest in Ghana.
A single hectare of cannabis could yield $10,000 for farmers, according to experts but while the opportunities are clear, success depends on clear cost structure for fees and regulations for entry.
