NCC opens online portal for cannabis cultivation licences

The Narcotics Control Commission (NCC) has officially opened its online application portal for individuals and companies seeking licences to operate in Ghana’s industrial and medicinal cannabis sector.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission announced that interested applicants can now submit their applications through the official website, www.ncc.gov.gh, marking a significant step in the operationalisation of Ghana’s new cannabis regulatory regime.

The move follows the launch of the national licensing framework on February 26, 2026, by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, which established the legal foundation for commercial cannabis cultivation for industrial and medical purposes.

Legal framework

According to the Commission, the licensing regime gives full effect to Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), as amended, and Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2475, which together provide the statutory basis for controlled cannabis cultivation and management.

The NCC emphasised that licences will only cover cannabis varieties with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels not exceeding 0.3 per cent on a dry weight basis, in strict compliance with legal requirements.

Scope of licensing

The licensing system covers eleven distinct areas across the cannabis value chain, including:

· Cultivation
· Processing
· Breeding
· Research and development
· Laboratory testing
· Storage
· Transportation
· Import and export
· Sales and distribution
· Advertising and promotion

Application process

The Commission stated that the online application system is designed to ensure transparency and accessibility. Prospective applicants are required to visit the NCC official website, select their preferred licence category, complete the online forms, and submit the necessary supporting documentation.

A non-refundable application fee applies to all applicants. Payments can be made via Visa card, Mobile Money, or through payment vouchers available at NIB Bank branches nationwide.

Regulatory oversight

In a statement signed by Mr Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations, the Commission said the new system aims to guide the cannabis industry’s growth while maintaining strict regulatory control.

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

The Commission assured the public that while lawful industrial activity will be permitted, public health and safety considerations remain paramount in all regulatory decisions.