The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has clarified that any Ghanaian aged 18 and above who owns land, or has documented access to it, may apply directly for a licence to cultivate medicinal and industrial cannabis without intermediaries.

Dr Basha Ligbi, Head of the Cannabis Regulations Department at NACOC, made the disclosure in an interview on Class FM on Thursday, February 19, 2026. He emphasised that the application process is open, transparent and does not require personal connections.

“Almost every Ghanaian above the age of 18 is qualified to come for the licence,” Dr Ligbi said. “You do not need anybody to help you do this. You do not need anybody to get this. You do not need to pay money to anybody to get a licence.”

He added that applicants who meet all the stipulated requirements would not be unfairly denied approval. “If you supply all the needed information, you are guaranteed a licence,” he said.

The clarification follows a press release issued by the Commission on February 11, 2026, which stated that licences would be granted to “qualified entities that meet stringent requirements”. That wording had led some prospective applicants to conclude that the industry was reserved primarily for large companies and foreign investors.

Dr Ligbi dismissed that interpretation, explaining that for individuals, the criteria are straightforward: the applicant must be at least 18 years old, have no criminal record, and have documented access to land. For companies, about 50 per cent of shareholders or the majority of directors must be Ghanaians.

The NACOC release followed Parliament's approval of the regulatory and cost framework to operationalise the licensing regime for controlled cultivation, processing and use of cannabis with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content not exceeding 0.3 per cent for medicinal and industrial purposes. THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It is one of over 113 cannabinoids found in the plant, and it binds the brain receptors to produce mind-altering effects. 

Regarding land requirements, he noted that the property must either be registered in the applicant’s name, or the applicant must present written consent from the landowner permitting its use for cannabis cultivation. He stressed that proper land registration is mandatory.

He encouraged prospective cultivators to begin preparing their documentation without delay. “If you intend going into cultivation and you have a land, you should start working on the documentation for the land and our officers will check all those,” he said.

Applicants are also required to submit a comprehensive business plan and police clearance certificates for all company directors. According to Dr Ligbi, these background checks are essential to maintaining the integrity of the emerging industry. “We wouldn’t want anybody who has a previous criminal history to go into the industry,” he said.

The Commission expects to process applications within 90 days. During this period, officers will conduct due diligence, verify submitted information and make recommendations to the Minister for the Interior, who will grant final approval.

Dr Ligbi revealed that an online application portal has been developed and is ready for use, pending formal launch by the sector Minister. Written applications will also be accepted.

Licences will be valid for three years, except for breeding and research licences, which will be issued annually. They will cover 11 categories across the cannabis value chain, including cultivation, breeding, processing, export, import, transportation, laboratory testing and advertising.

Although Parliament has approved the licensing fees, Dr Ligbi said the specific amounts would be announced at the official ministerial launch.

For those wishing to study the legal framework, he advised obtaining a copy of Legislative Instrument 2475 from the Assembly Press near Accra Technical University.

“Ignorance of the law would not be an excuse,” he said, adding that the Commission would strictly enforce the regulations governing the licences.