BTA2023 Ghana’s cannabis industry has taken a significant regulatory step forward after the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) clarified that any Ghanaian aged 18 and above with registered land or documented access to land can directly apply for a licence to cultivate medicinal and industrial cannabis — without intermediaries.
Speaking on Class FM on February 19, 2026, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Cannabis Regulations Department, dismissed claims that the sector is reserved for large corporations or foreign investors.
“Almost every Ghanaian above the age of 18 is qualified to come for the licence. You do not need anybody to help you do this. You do not need to pay money to anybody to get a licence,” he stated.
Clear Eligibility Criteria
According to NACOC, individuals must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have no criminal record
- Provide documented access to land (registered ownership or written consent from landowner)
For companies, at least 50% of shareholders or the majority of directors must be Ghanaians.
The clarification follows NACOC’s February 11 release stating licences would be granted to “qualified entities that meet stringent requirements,” which many interpreted as favoring institutional investors.
Regulatory Framework: What Is Permitted?
Parliament has approved the regulatory and cost framework to operationalise controlled cultivation and processing of cannabis with THC content not exceeding 0.3% for medicinal and industrial purposes.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for mind-altering effects. Under Ghana’s framework, only low-THC cannabis for medical and industrial use is permitted.
Prospective applicants must also submit:
- A comprehensive business plan
- Police clearance certificates for all directors
- Properly registered land documentation
Applications will undergo a 90-day due diligence process before recommendations are forwarded to the Minister for the Interior for final approval.
Online Portal Ready
Dr. Ligbi revealed that an online application portal has been developed and is awaiting official launch by the sector Minister. Written submissions will also be accepted.
Licences will be valid for three years, except for breeding and research licences, which will be issued annually. The regime covers 11 categories across the cannabis value chain — including cultivation, processing, export, import, transport, laboratory testing, and advertising.
While Parliament has approved licensing fees, the exact amounts will be announced during the official ministerial launch.
For legal guidance, NACOC advises applicants to obtain Legislative Instrument 2475 from the Assembly Press near Accra Technical University.
“Ignorance of the law would not be an excuse,” Dr. Ligbi cautioned.
