Is Cannabis / THC legal in Ghana?

Legal status

Personal use DEPENALIZED but still illegal under Act 1019 (2020) — fine (~GHS 2,400–6,000), non-payment ~15 months; NOT decriminalized; NO thresholds; [struck] Sec 43 low-THC cultivation struck by Supreme Court May 2023

Consequences if caught

Cannabis is controlled under Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019). Under Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), possession for personal use (Secs 37/41/45) is DEPENALIZED, not decriminalized: it draws a FINE of 200–500 penalty units (about GHS 2,400–6,000), with non-payment converting to roughly 15 months' imprisonment. This replaced prison with a fine, but personal use REMAINS ILLEGAL and the Act defines NO personal-use quantity thresholds. Trafficking is severe (fines plus imprisonment under the Second Schedule). [struck] Sec 43, a special provision allowing licensed cultivation of low-THC cannabis (0.3% THC or less) for industrial, medical and scientific use only (NOT recreational), was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in May 2023 (5–4) on procedural grounds and was struck — confirm the current status; do NOT rely on it as settled law.

If prescribed or medical

[struck] Any medical or industrial low-THC cannabis route ran through Sec 43, which the Supreme Court struck in May 2023 on procedural grounds — confirm current status before relying on it.

Documentation

Ghana DEPENALIZED (not decriminalized) personal drug use: under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), possession for personal use (Secs 37/41/45) draws a FINE of 200–500 penalty units (about GHS 2,400–6,000), with non-payment converting to roughly 15 months' imprisonment. This replaced the old prison terms of PNDCL 236 (1990) with a fine, but recreational and personal use REMAINS ILLEGAL — it is depenalization, NOT decriminalization or legalization — and the Act defines NO personal-use quantity thresholds. Trafficking is severe (fines plus imprisonment under the Second Schedule). [struck] Sec 43, a special provision for licensed cultivation of low-THC cannabis (0.3% THC or less) for industrial, medical and scientific use only (NOT recreational), was ruled unconstitutional by Ghana's Supreme Court in May 2023 (5–4) on procedural grounds and was struck; Parliament action to re-pass followed — confirm the current status, do NOT rely on Sec 43 as settled law. Ghana has NO death penalty for drugs. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Ghana’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.