xGhana’s legal cannabis industry is poised to become a major economic sector, with the potential to generate at least $1 billion annually if fully implemented, according to Dr. Mark Darko, President and CEO of the Chamber of Cannabis Industry. Nearly three years after Parliament legalized cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) announced on February 11, 2026, that it would begin issuing licenses for cultivation. However, the associated fees for these permits have not yet been disclosed, leaving investors uncertain about entry costs into the high-value sector.
The 2023 legalization law allows cannabis cultivation and use for medicinal and industrial purposes with a THC limit of 0.3%, while recreational use remains illegal. Cannabis grown for the illicit recreational market often exceeds this threshold, reaching 20–30% THC levels. Darko emphasized that Ghana’s favorable agro-climatic conditions and experienced growers give the country a structural advantage in producing high-quality cannabis year-round.
Despite the law’s passage, no licenses had been issued prior to NACOC’s recent announcement. Earlier delays were partly due to disagreements over proposed licensing fees, some of which were initially set at tens of thousands of dollars per permit. The regulatory framework includes 11 license categories covering cultivation, breeding, research, export, and sales, with NACOC responsible for approvals and enforcement. The Chamber of Cannabis Industry was established immediately after legalization to facilitate implementation and serve as a bridge between industry stakeholders and regulators.
Investor interest in Ghana’s cannabis sector has grown rapidly. Within six months of the Chamber’s formation in July 2023, it received over 1,000 inquiries, with more than 60% from foreign investors, mainly from the United States and Canada. North American firms are attracted by Ghana’s year-round sunlight and lower production costs, while domestic interest comes from legacy growers seeking to transition from the black market into the formal regulated economy.
The sector is projected to rival traditional exports such as cocoa and could generate initial revenues of around $1 billion annually. Industrial applications include textiles, paper, biofuels, cosmetics, and construction materials, alongside pharmaceutical uses such as antioxidants, anti-inflammation, and seizure treatments. Darko highlighted that the regulated industry can retain economic value that would otherwise be lost to illicit markets.
While public and medical concerns about mental health risks and potential abuse persist, Darko maintains that a tightly regulated legal market is preferable to prohibition. He pointed to successful examples in other jurisdictions where regulated cannabis markets coexist with restrictions on recreational use. With NACOC set to begin issuing licenses, the industry now faces a critical phase in which regulatory clarity and fee structures will determine whether investor interest translates into tangible capital deployment in one of Ghana’s most promising new export sectors.
