The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has announced that it will soon be opening applications for licences for the cultivation and management of industrial and medicinal cannabis in Ghana.
The development follows the launch of the national licensing regime on February 26, 2026, by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, marking a major step in implementing the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), as amended and Legislative Instrument 2475.
In a statement dated March 11, 2026, the Commission said the new regulatory framework aims to harness the economic and health potential of cannabis while maintaining strict regulatory oversight.
“This milestone marks a strategic shift toward harnessing the economic and health potential of cannabis while maintaining the highest regulatory standards,” the Commission said.
According to the NACOC, the licences will apply strictly to cannabis with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis.
The Commission explained that the programme is focused on two main areas: industrial use and medicinal development. Industrial cannabis will support the production of fibre and seeds, while medicinal cannabis will be used in the development of pharmaceutical and health-related products.
The licensing regime provides eleven categories of licences for interested individuals and corporate entities. These include cultivation, processing, breeding, research and development, laboratory and testing, storage, transportation, import, export, sales and distribution, as well as advertising and promotion.
The NACOC added that the application process has been streamlined through a digital platform to make it more accessible to prospective investors.
Applicants are required to visit the Commission’s official portal, complete the online forms and upload the required documentation, after which payment of a non-refundable application fee can be made via Visa card, Mobile Money, or through a payment voucher from NIB Bank.
“The Narcotics Control Commission is dedicated to building a fair, transparent, robust and accountable cannabis industry while safeguarding public health and safety,” the statement said.
Officials say the new framework is expected to promote lawful innovation and contribute to Ghana’s industrial development while positioning the country to participate in the growing global cannabis industry. 
