Three years to grow cannabis, one violation to lose it – NACOC cautions

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has said the licences it has issued for medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation are valid for three years but can be revoked at any time if operators breach their terms.

The Director-General of NACOC, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, said only two companies, MJ Adom Limited and Juliotpa Limited, have so far met the requirements to be granted licences.

He warned licensed operators to strictly observe the conditions attached to their permits, including limits on the size of land they can cultivate and the scope of their operations.

"You cannot go beyond what has been granted to you. If you violate the terms, the licence though valid for three years can be revoked at any time," he said.

He added that NACOC reserves the right to carry out unannounced inspections on licensed farms to check compliance.

Major General Mantey said the cultivation of cannabis with a THC level not exceeding 0.3 per cent is only legal under a valid licence, and that any cultivation outside this framework remains illegal and punishable by law.

He said NACOC would step up enforcement against illegal cannabis cultivation, noting that officers are already arresting offenders and will expand operations against unlicensed growers.