Eight Companies Cleared for Final Approval to Begin Legal Cannabis Cultivation – Interior Minister
Interior Minister says first batch of applicants has completed the process as government prepares to issue final approvals
- Eight companies reach final approval stage to begin legal cannabis cultivation
- Interior Minister assures strict regulation to protect public safety
- Government eyes legal industry to replace illegal cannabis farming
The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has revealed that eight companies have reached the final stage of the approval process to begin the legal cultivation of cannabis in Ghana under the country’s regulated licensing framework.
Speaking on the implementation of Ghana’s cannabis cultivation law, Mr Muntaka said the online application process is ongoing, with the first batch of successful applicants now awaiting his final approval.
“At least eight companies have reached the finish line, and the applications are now coming to me for approval. They will be able to begin legitimate cannabis cultivation with all the necessary safeguards in place,” he said.
The Minister stressed that cannabis cultivation would be carried out under strict regulatory conditions to ensure full compliance with the law while protecting public safety.
He also dismissed calls for an immediate review of the legal framework, arguing that it is too early to assess the effectiveness of the policy since implementation began less than a year ago.
“People are talking about a review, but I say it’s too early. We started implementation less than a year ago. Let’s allow it to run for about a year, identify the real challenges, and then use those experiences to inform any review,” he stated.
Mr Muntaka said the government remains open to amending the law if practical challenges arise after a reasonable period of implementation.
He further expressed optimism that the regulated cannabis industry could eventually create opportunities for people currently engaged in illegal cultivation to transition into a lawful and economically productive sector.
“We hope to develop the industry in a way that can also accommodate those who are currently cultivating illegally, so that the sector becomes better regulated,” he noted.
The Interior Minister assured the public that the government would continue to streamline the licensing process while maintaining strict oversight to ensure compliance with Ghana’s narcotics laws and safeguard public safety.
Under Ghana’s existing legal framework, cannabis cultivation is permitted only for industrial and medicinal purposes through a regulated licensing regime supervised by the Narcotics Control Commission.
