Ghana Legalises Cannabis Farming For Industrial, Medicinal Purposes, Invites Applications For Licences
Ghana Legalises Cannabis Farming For Industrial, Medicinal Purposes, Invites Applications For Licences
The Commission explained that the licensing regime is strictly limited to cannabis with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of not more than 0.3 per cent on a dry weight basis.
The Ghanaian government has announced the opening of applications for licences for citizens to cultivate and manage cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes, marking a significant policy shift in the country’s drug regulation framework.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NCC) said the development followed the official launch of the country’s national licensing regime on February 26, 2026, by its Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak.
According to the NCC, the programme implements Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), as amended, and represents what the agency described as a “strategic shift toward harnessing the economic and health potential of cannabis while maintaining the highest regulatory standards.”
The Commission explained that the licensing regime is strictly limited to cannabis with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of not more than 0.3 per cent on a dry weight basis.
“This milestone marks the implementation of section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), as amended and L.I. 2475, signifying a strategic shift toward harnessing the economic and health potential of cannabis while maintaining the highest regulatory standards,” the statement read.
Under the programme, the NCC said cannabis cultivation will be limited to industrial and medicinal uses.
For industrial purposes, the Ghanaian government said the crop will be cultivated for the production of high-quality fibre and seeds.
In the medicinal category, the plant will be used for the development of pharmaceutical and other health-related products.
The Commission added that individuals and corporate entities interested in participating in the emerging industry can apply under eleven licensing categories designed to regulate the cannabis value chain.
These, according to NCC, include licences for cultivation, processing, breeding, research and development, laboratory testing, storage, transportation, import and export, among others.
The Commission further noted that the licensing framework is designed to ensure strict oversight of the cannabis industry while allowing Ghana to tap into the global market for industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis.
The NCC added that the initiative aims to create economic opportunities, support scientific research, and strengthen the country’s pharmaceutical sector under a controlled regulatory environment.
