The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has announced plans to implement a licensing regime for medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation in Ghana.
The move follows Parliament’s approval of a regulatory and cost framework allowing the controlled cultivation, processing, and use of cannabis containing no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for medicinal and industrial purposes.
According to NACOC, licenses will only be granted to qualified entities that meet stringent requirements, including robust security protocols, product traceability systems, quality assurance standards, and full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Commission has cautioned prospective applicants to engage exclusively with NACOC through its Cannabis Regulations Department (CRD), warning against intermediaries or individuals claiming to facilitate licensing.
NACOC emphasised that only officially approved processes and guidelines should be followed.
Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations at NACOC, stressed that recreational cannabis use remains illegal in Ghana.
He noted that the Commission would work closely with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies—including the Ministry of Interior, Ghana Standards Authority, and Food and Drugs Authority—to ensure effective monitoring, enforcement, and safe implementation of the licensing framework.
NACOC said the initiative aims to safeguard public health while promoting lawful innovation and industrial development within the country’s emerging cannabis sector.