Accra, Ghana – In a significant development for the burgeoning legal cannabis sector, two Ghanaian companies have been awarded the inaugural licences to cultivate cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes. This marks a pivotal moment under the government’s newly established regulated cannabis programme, signalling a strategic move towards unlocking economic potential while maintaining stringent oversight.
The licences, issued as part of a pilot initiative, follow a comprehensive technical and regulatory assessment designed to ensure only qualified entities participate. Authorities envision this programme as a catalyst for job creation and export-driven growth. Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), announced the issuance of these licences in Accra on Friday. The recipients, MJ Adom Limited and Juliotpa Limited, successfully navigated the rigorous approval process.
These licences, valid for a period of three years, specifically permit the cultivation of cannabis with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content not exceeding 0.3 per cent. The scope is strictly confined to medicinal and industrial applications, underscoring the government’s commitment to a controlled and purposeful rollout. Major General Mantey detailed NACOC’s meticulous vetting process, which adhered to the Narcotics Control Commission Act and the relevant Legislative Instrument governing low-THC cannabis cultivation. The process involved online applications, assessment by a multi-institutional technical review committee, and on-site inspections to verify compliance with regulatory, operational, and security mandates.
“We took our time to scrutinise every application because this project is not an open invitation for anyone to cultivate cannabis,” Major General Mantey stated. He emphasised that cultivation of cannabis with 0.3 per cent THC is only legal with a licence, and any unlicensed cultivation remains illegal. He further clarified that the issuance of these licences does not constitute a general legalisation of cannabis cultivation, with recreational use remaining strictly prohibited. Individuals found cultivating cannabis without a licence will face arrest and prosecution.
The pilot programme aims to harness the medicinal and industrial benefits of cannabis, foster employment, attract investment, and support scientific research under strict regulatory supervision. Licence holders are cautioned to operate strictly within the stipulated terms, with non-compliance, such as exceeding approved acreage or engaging in unauthorised activities, potentially leading to licence revocation. Companies are also mandated to ensure THC levels remain below the 0.3 per cent threshold and to report any crop abnormalities promptly. NACOC has reiterated its commitment to combating illicit drug activities and will impose sanctions on any attempts to subvert the new regulatory framework. Representatives from MJ Adom Limited and Juliotpa Limited expressed gratitude for the licences, acknowledging them as a significant milestone and pledging full compliance and dedication to the intended medicinal and industrial purposes, thereby contributing to job creation, research, and economic advancement.
... Ghana Issues First Cannabis Cultivation Licences Under New Regulatory Framework ... Naijaonpoint.