Ghana Invites Citizens, Companies to Apply for Cannabis Cultivation Licences

The Government of Ghana has opened applications for licences to cultivate and manage cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes, marking a new phase in the country’s drug regulation policy.

In a statement issued on March 11, 2026, the Narcotics Control Commission (NCC) said the licensing process follows the official launch of the national cannabis licensing regime on February 26, 2026, by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak.

According to the Commission, the programme implements Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), as amended, alongside Legislative Instrument L.I. 2475. The framework allows regulated cannabis cultivation while maintaining strict oversight of the sector.

The NCC stated that the policy applies only to cannabis varieties containing no more than **0.3 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)** on a dry-weight basis. Crops above that threshold remain prohibited.

Under the scheme, cannabis cultivation will be limited to two approved categories: industrial and medicinal use.

For industrial purposes, the plant will be grown mainly for fibre and seeds used in manufacturing and other commercial products. In the medicinal category, cannabis will be used for the development of pharmaceutical and other health-related products.

The Commission said individuals and companies can apply under **11 licensing categories** designed to regulate the entire cannabis value chain. These include licences covering cultivation, processing, breeding, research and development, laboratory testing, storage, transportation, and import and export activities.

Officials say the regulatory framework is intended to allow Ghana to participate in the global industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis markets while maintaining strict control over production and distribution.

The NCC added that the initiative is expected to create economic opportunities, support scientific research, and contribute to the growth of the country’s pharmaceutical sector within a regulated system.