The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagin, has expressed concern over the public’s misreading of the approval of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023.
The Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023 was passed by Parliament on July 12, 2023, bringing significant modifications to the growing of cannabis for industrial and therapeutic purposes.
The modified measure empowered the Ministry of Interior to issue licenses for cannabis growing, allowing this plant to be used for a variety of useful purposes.
However, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, claims that the bill’s passing was not intended to legalize recreational marijuana usage, asking authorities to crack down on lawbreakers.
“Passage of the Bill does not connote or legalise the recreational use or smoking of cannabis therefore the House remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing the law against the unlawful use of cannabis.
“We will continue to act in a manner that is in line with the Constitution and serves the public interest and advances our nation’s development and I want to employ all Members of Parliament and Ghanaians to share this information so as to dispel the misinformation and foster an informed dialogue on the matter.”
“I reiterate that the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, production, or use of narcotic plants, synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs without lawful authority remains an offence and is punishable by our laws and I, therefore, call on the law enforcement authorities to continue to investigate, prosecute and commit offenders to the sanctions of the law.”
