A bill to legalize the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and health purposes has been passed by Ghana parliament.

Alban Bagbin, the speaker of the parliament, who disclosed this during the proceeding on Wednesday, said the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill was approved after its third reading.

The development comes after the Supreme Court impeded the passage of the law by striking out section 43 of the law as unconstitutional.

Although, section 43 of Act 1019 stipulates that the Minister on the recommendation of the Commission may grant a licence for the cultivation of cannabis popularly referred to as ‘wee’ in Ghana.

It would not be more than 0.3 per cent THC content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes for obtaining fibre or seed for medicinal purposes.

The passage of the bill into law opens the door for companies to obtain licenses to grow plant that has no more than 0.3 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol on a dry-weight basis, according to the provisions.

The Industrial-level cultivation of the plant can be for fibre, seed or medical use, it said.

The move would now help the West African nation grab a share of the multibillion-dollar global industry.

Aside from Uruguay, Canada and Thailand, Ghana has now joined the list of countries where production of cannabis is legal.