Mr Adib Saani, Executive Director of the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, has called on the government to establish safeguards against the abuse of the recently passed Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill, 2023.

He emphasized the need for rigorous monitoring and visits to cultivation sites after licenses are issued to ensure compliance with license provisions.

Mr Saani expressed concern that without proper enforcement, the licenses could be misused, potentially leading to the diversion of Cannabis for recreational use and illicit activities.

The Bill, which was passed by Parliament on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, empowers the Minister for the Interior to grant licenses for the cultivation of cannabis with limited Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.

The legislation aims to facilitate the growth of the cannabis industry for industrial and medicinal purposes, opening doors for further exploration of its potential.

Mr Saani, a Security Analyst, applauded Parliament for passing the Bill, recognizing the economic benefits of industrial cannabis production.

However, he cautioned against the misconception that legalization allows for unrestricted cultivation of cannabis for recreational purposes.

Mr Saani raised concerns about the potential for Ghana to become a production hub for cannabis, with the risk of illegal drug trafficking. He urged the Ministry for the Interior to conduct thorough due diligence on license applicants to prevent misuse of the system.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of institutional capacity building to ensure effective regulation of cannabis production.

Under the new law, the penalty for drug possession for personal use has been converted from imprisonment to a fine ranging from 200 to 500 penalty units (GH¢ 2,400 to GH¢ 6,000).

This change aims to reduce prison overcrowding and provide alternatives to incarceration for offenders possessing drugs for personal use.

Mr Saani commended this shift but emphasized the need for the imprisonment of repeat offenders to deter others from exploiting the provision.