The parliament of the Republic Of Ghana has passed the NACOC Bill that is Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill into Law hence, introducing vital changes in the cultivation of Cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes.
This new development comes after the Supreme Court in a 4-3 majority decision called it an unconstitutional provisions within the Narcotic Control Commission Act 2020,(1019) which stipulated the permission for industries to cultivate specific types of cannabis and a certain amount for medicinal and industrial purposes.
The court contended that these provisions contravened Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution. Despite an appeal filed by the Office of the Attorney-General, the Supreme Court dismissed the review application in a narrow 5-4 decision. However, parliament had a debate with respect to the amendment of the bill, Members of Parliament emphasized on the significance of cultivating certain kinds of cannabis.
The lawmakers of Parliament took into consideration all the “positive” and “negative” effect before the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023 into Law.
The Ministry of Interior which is under the leadership of Hon Ambrose Dary will now have the legal mandate of issuing licenses for the cultivation of cannabis which would aid in facilitating the growth of this industry and the benefits that can be derived from harnessing the properties of cannabis for industrial and medicinal uses.
Queen Xorlali