Applications Open as Ghana Legalises Cannabis Farming for Industrial, Medicinal Use
The government of Ghana has officially legalised the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes and has opened applications for licences to individuals and companies interested in participating in the sector.
The announcement was made by the Narcotics Control Commission (NCC), which said the new licensing regime forms part of efforts to regulate and develop a controlled cannabis industry in the country.
Authorities explained that the policy allows the cultivation of cannabis strictly for industrial hemp and medicinal research, stressing that recreational use of the substance remains illegal under Ghanaian law.
The programme was launched earlier in 2026 by Ghana’s Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, as part of the implementation of the Narcotics Control Commission Act aimed at regulating narcotics and controlled substances while unlocking economic opportunities.
Under the framework, only cannabis varieties containing no more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive compound responsible for intoxication — will be permitted for cultivation.
The Commission said the licensing system covers multiple areas across the cannabis value chain. These include cultivation, processing, research and development, transportation, storage, laboratory testing, import and export, distribution, and marketing.
According to the NCC, prospective investors and researchers can submit their applications through an official online portal, where applicants will be required to provide necessary documentation and pay prescribed application fees.
Despite the development, the government reiterated that recreational marijuana use remains prohibited, warning that strict monitoring and regulatory measures will be enforced to prevent abuse of the new policy.
