Ghana is set to begin licensing for medicinal hemp cultivation, marking a major milestone in the country’s regulated cannabis industry after Parliament approved the legal framework for controlled cultivation and use. The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has announced plans to implement Ghana’s licensing regime for medicinal and industrial hemp cultivation under strict regulatory standards.
In a press release dated February 11, 2026, signed by Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations, NACOC confirmed that it will operationalize the nationwide licensing regime for controlled cultivation, processing, and use of cannabis with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content not exceeding 0.3% for medicinal hemp and industrial purposes.
Under the new regime, licenses for medicinal and industrial hemp cultivation will be issued only to qualified entities that satisfy stringent requirements. These include robust security protocols, reliable product traceability systems, strict quality assurance standards, and full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, NACOC emphasized.
The Commission cautioned prospective applicants to deal exclusively with NACOC’s Cannabis Regulations Department (CRD) and follow official procedures. It warned against engaging with individuals or organizations claiming to facilitate or expedite licensing outside official channels.
NACOC also reiterated that recreational cannabis use remains illegal in Ghana and that the Commission will work closely with key ministries and regulatory bodies—including the Ministry of Interior, Ghana Standards Authority, and the Food and Drugs Authority—to ensure effective monitoring, implementation, and enforcement of the new framework.
This move aligns Ghana with global trends towards regulated industrial hemp cultivation and positions the sector for potential economic and medicinal development. Industrial hemp, the variety of cannabis permitted under the new law, is distinguished by its low THC content and broad applications, including medicine, textiles, biodegradable products, and more.
