Ghana will begin issuing licences for the cultivation of medicinal and industrial cannabis after Parliament approved the regulatory and cost framework to operationalise the regime, marking a pivotal step in the country’s effort to formalise a tightly controlled cannabis industry.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) said it will commence implementation of the licensing programme for the controlled cultivation, processing and use of cannabis with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content not exceeding 0.3%, according to a Feb. 11 statement referenced in a notice to industry participants.
Licences will be granted only to qualified entities that meet stringent requirements, including robust security protocols, product traceability systems, recognised quality assurance standards and full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, NACOC said.
The move follows years of legislative and regulatory groundwork aimed at carving out a legal framework for low-THC cannabis production for medicinal and industrial purposes, including fibre and pharmaceutical applications, while maintaining strict controls over recreational use.
The Chamber of Cannabis Industry Ghana, in a communication to its members signed by President Dr. Mark Darko, described the development as “an important step” toward building a structured and internationally credible cannabis sector.
Prospective applicants have been advised to engage directly and exclusively with NACOC through its Cannabis Regulations Department and to avoid intermediaries or unauthorised facilitators, underscoring regulators’ focus on compliance and transparency in a sector often associated with illicit trade.
Industry participants are being encouraged to review their compliance readiness, governance structures, technical capacity and documentation in preparation for the application process. The Chamber said it would continue engaging regulators and provide guidance and capacity-building support to members seeking to participate in the emerging market.
The launch of the licensing regime positions Ghana among a growing number of African countries seeking to tap into the global medicinal cannabis market, which has attracted increasing investor interest as more jurisdictions liberalise regulations. For Accra, the challenge will be balancing commercial opportunity with strict oversight to ensure the sector develops within the confines of international narcotics conventions and domestic law.
