Ghana’s Long-Awaited Law Set to Open Hemp Market
After facing setbacks, Ghana has now passed legislation that will open up the market for industrial hemp and medical cannabis.
The recently passed Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023 by the country’s Parliament sets the THC limit for hemp at 0.3% on a dry weight basis. CBD is expected to be available as a medicine but will not be legal for over-the-counter use.
Previous attempts
In 2020, Ghana’s Parliament legalized the use of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, giving oversight to the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), under the Ministry of Interior. However, this law faced criticism from stakeholders and was ultimately declared unconstitutional by the country’s high court due to the lack of parliamentary debate.
The new law maintains the Ministry of the Interior’s authority over hemp licensing and regulation.
Ghana’s stakeholders have advocated for hemp as a means to improve the environment and generate tax revenue. A study conducted by Chinese researchers in 2021 suggested that Ghana can cultivate hemp as a raw material for export and produce semi-finished products for the domestic market.
Reviving the textile industry?
The report also highlights the potential for hemp to revive Ghana’s declining textile industry. Hemp could be utilized as a rotational crop, presenting an opportunity for fiber hemp production.
Agriculture contributes over 50% to Ghana’s GDP, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and accounts for more than 40% of export earnings.
