Parliament of Ghana has passed a bill to amend Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019) which will enable the Ministry of Interior to grant qualified applicants the licenses to cultivate cannabis for industrial use in Ghana.
The Act which is currently awaiting Presidential assent will allow Ghana to join other nations that have taken lead in harnessing the many benefits of this versatile plant.
According to the Act, however, the Cannabis grown in Ghana is solely for industrial purposes and must not have more than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis and which is for obtaining fiber, seed or for medicinal purposes.
Over the years, research has revealed that there are some useful benefits of Cannabis which is not limited only to medicine but also for economic benefits. In countries like Italy, the industrial cannabis grown is used for food, cosmetics, manufacturing of fibers, powders, oils or fuels, materials intended for use as green manure, organic material for bioengineering works and plant research, among others.
The economic benefits of this plant for Ghana is remarkable as it will help to create jobs, generate revenue for businesses that rely on the plant as raw material and external revenue for our country through export.
According to statistics, in 2022 alone, France and Australia made 223.22 million dollars and 303.83 million dollars respectively as revenue from medical, therapeutic and recreational use of cannabis.
Whilst highlighting the benefits we seek to reap from legalizing the cultivation of this plant, it is also prudent that we acknowledge the fact that misuse of cannabis is dangerous and can be deadly. Studies have shown that misuse of cannabis has led to an increase in mental health issues like depression, suicide and associated suicidal thoughts, memory loss and other health issues such as impaired movement.
It is therefore important to note that section 43(2) (amended) emphasizes that licenses granted under the Act do not permit the cultivation of cannabis for recreational use. As such, it is illegal and punishable by law to cultivate cannabis for any other use apart from what have been spelled out in the Act.
There are currently many misconceptions in the public domain surrounding the passage of the Act which needs to be addressed. CDS Africa calls on the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders to educate and inform the public on the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019) and clearly define what it seeks to do, what is permissible and what is not.
Public education and sensitization will clear all doubts and misconceptions to allow for proper adherence. There should also be proper measures put in place to ensure there is strict compliance to the provisions and requirements needed to cultivate Cannabis as stipulated in the Act so cultivators abide by the law.
