On July 12, 2023, Ghana’s Parliament passed the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill, granting the Minister for the Interior the power to issue licenses for industrial cannabis cultivation.
Regarding the Supreme Court’s previous ruling on the unconstitutionality of a clause in the bill, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin clarified that Parliament was not reviewing the decision but rather rectifying an error made by the Supreme Court.
The Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery, presented and initiated the first reading of the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023, in Parliament on July 6.
The Supreme Court invalidated the law granting licenses for cannabis cultivation, commonly known as ‘wee’, due to a lack of parliamentary debate as required by Article 106 (5) (6) of the 1992 Constitution.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling, the Speaker highlighted the country’s missed opportunities and revealed that he had conveyed his displeasure during a meeting with the Supreme Court justices.
He urged the court to consult Parliament for comprehensive briefings when making such decisions.