Ghana Parliament passes ‘Wee’ Bill

In a significant development for Ghana’s legislative landscape, the country’s Parliament has passed the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, which seeks to decriminalize the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal, economic, and industrial purposes.

The passing of this bill marks a major shift in the country’s stance towards cannabis, opening up new avenues for research and healthcare opportunities. This grants the Minister of Interior, the authority to issue licenses for the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and economic purposes, enabling the utilization of this plant for various beneficial applications.

The passing of the bill comes after the the highest court in the county, the Supreme Court, intervened and declared section 43 of the law as unconstitutional, thereby hindering the smooth passage of the legislation. It will be recalled that, Section 43 of Act 1019 previously authorized the Minister, based on the Commission’s recommendation, to grant licenses for the cultivation of cannabis, commonly known as “wee” in Ghana. However, this provision has been eliminated due to its unconstitutional nature.        

 The house, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, amended the law and inserted the same provision back into it. “Honourable members the Narcotics Bill, 2023 is being read the third time and passed,” the Speaker said after none stated an objection to the passing,” the Speaker said.

This is expected to pave the way for the development of a well-regulated cannabis industry in Ghana, ensuring that its cultivation and usage adhere to strict guidelines and quality standards.