Parliament has recently passed the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, bringing about significant changes to the cultivation of cannabis in Ghana for industrial and medicinal purposes.
Under the amended bill, the Ministry of Interior has been granted the authority to issue licenses for cannabis cultivation. This move aims to enable the utilization of cannabis for various beneficial applications.
This development comes in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling that invalidated certain provisions in the Narcotic Control Commission Act, which previously allowed for the cultivation of specific types of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes.
The court determined that these provisions were in violation of Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution. Despite an appeal filed by the Office of the Attorney-General, the Supreme Court dismissed the review application in a narrow 5-4 decision.
During parliamentary debates on the bill amendment, Members of Parliament emphasized the importance of cultivating specific types of cannabis. They highlighted the potential benefits that can be derived from harnessing the properties of cannabis for industrial and medicinal uses.
With the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, the Ministry of Interior will now assume the responsibility of issuing licenses for cannabis cultivation. This step aims to facilitate the growth of the cannabis industry in Ghana and create opportunities for further exploration of its potential.
I’m Solomon, the CEO of Voix Of Ghana Media ( VOG MEDIA, and Aristocrat Charity Foundation ( ACF). Aside blogging, I am also a Forester, Philanthropist, a Publicist, and a Promoter.
