The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court's ruling that invalidated the law allowing the granting of licenses for cannabis cultivation in Ghana.

In August 2022, the Supreme Court said Parliament did not act transparently in the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Act.

Specific reference was made to portions of the law (section 43) which permitted the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes.

In July 2022, the Supreme Court struck down section 43 of the law, which empowered the Minister to issue licenses for the medicinal and industrial cultivation of cannabis.

In response, Speaker has expressed his belief that the Supreme Court made an error by not verifying the proper process and procedures involved in the enactment of a bill before rendering its ruling.

“I hope the three arms of government will work together and respect each other. In case of doubt, it’s important to consult the other arm before giving finality to whatever decision the other arm wants to take.

“I do not think it was proper for the Judiciary without knowing how we conduct our business here, really go into how we conduct the business and make such important decisions without consulting the House. That is improper,” he said in Parliament on June 6, 2023.

Also, Interior Minister Ambrose Dery has described the Supreme Court’s ruling as a grievous error.

He said “to say section 43 is unconstitutional because there was no debate in my humble opinion is a grievous error.”

The Nandom MP continued that the bill does not seek to legalise the recreational use of cannabis but to allow the Minister to issue licenses to people who can produce at 0.3% THC.

He added that the legislation was to help government take a modern approach and allow for industrial and medicinal use of cannabis

Meanwhile, Speaker Alban Bagbin has referred the Narcotics Control Commission Act bill to the Parliamentary Committee of Defense and Interior for consideration.

The committee is expected in a weeks time to come up with the right provision needed to re-enact the law.