The Narcotics Control Commission (NCC) has opened applications for licences to operate in Ghana’s industrial and medicinal cannabis sector.

In a statement issued on March 11, 2026, the Commission said individuals and companies interested in the sector can now submit applications through its official online portal.

The step follows the launch of Ghana’s national licensing regime for industrial and medicinal cannabis on February 26, 2026, by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak.

The Commission said the move gives effect to Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), as amended, together with Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2475, which provides the legal basis for the cultivation and management of cannabis for industrial and medical use.

According to the NCC, licences will apply only to cannabis varieties with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level of not more than 0.3 per cent on a dry weight basis, as required by law.

The licensing system covers eleven areas across the cannabis value chain. These include cultivation, processing, breeding, research and development, laboratory testing, storage, transportation, import, export, sales and distribution, as well as advertising and promotion.

The Commission said the online application process aims to make the system open and easy to use.

Applicants must visit the Commission’s official website, www.ncc.gov.gh, select the licence category they seek and complete the required online forms before submitting the supporting documents.

The statement added that each applicant must pay a non-refundable application fee. Payments can be made with a Visa card, through Mobile Money, or by using payment vouchers available at NIB Bank branches across the country.

The Commission said the new licensing system seeks to guide the growth of the cannabis industry while maintaining strict regulatory control.

“The Narcotics Control Commission is working to build a fair, transparent and accountable cannabis industry,” the statement said.

The statement added that while lawful industrial activity will be permitted, public health and safety remain a priority.

The statement was signed by Mr Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations at the Narcotics Control Commission.