Ghana’s preparedness to exploit the medicinal value of industrial hemp
Abstract Background Interest in industrial hemp is increasing steadily, as can be seen by the growing number of countries that have either decriminalized industrial hemp or are contemplating its decriminalization. In line with this trend, Ghana recently decriminalized the cultivation of industrial h...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cannabis Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00167-4 |
| _version_ | 1828094973092823040 |
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| author | Richard Quansah Amissah |
| author_facet | Richard Quansah Amissah |
| author_sort | Richard Quansah Amissah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Interest in industrial hemp is increasing steadily, as can be seen by the growing number of countries that have either decriminalized industrial hemp or are contemplating its decriminalization. In line with this trend, Ghana recently decriminalized the cultivation of industrial hemp (the cannabis variety with low Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and high cannabidiol (CBD) content), resulting in the need for research into its benefits to Ghanaians. This article examines cannabis (including industrial hemp) production, facilities for industrial hemp exploitation, and the potential benefits of industrial hemp in Ghana. Main body Indigenous cannabis strains in Ghana have high THC to CBD ratios suggesting the need for the government to purchase foreign hemp seeds, considering that the alternative will require significant research into decreasing the THC to CBD ratio of indigenous cannabis strains. Furthermore, there are several facilities within the country that could be leveraged for the production of medicinal hemp-based drugs, as well as the existence of a number of possible regulatory bodies in the country, suggesting the need for less capital. Research has also shown the potential for treatment of some medical conditions prevalent among Ghanaians using medicinal hemp-based products. These reasons suggest that the most feasible option may be for the government to invest in medicinal hemp. Conclusion Considering the challenges associated with the development of other hemp-based products, the availability of resources in the country for exploitation of medicinal hemp, and the potential benefits of hemp-based drugs to Ghanaians, investing in medicinal hemp may be the best option for the government of Ghana. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:06:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2ca2404b187f44df8e868f0cf501989d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2522-5782 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:06:37Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cannabis Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-2ca2404b187f44df8e868f0cf501989d2022-12-22T04:38:23ZengBMCJournal of Cannabis Research2522-57822022-11-01411610.1186/s42238-022-00167-4Ghana’s preparedness to exploit the medicinal value of industrial hempRichard Quansah Amissah0Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of GuelphAbstract Background Interest in industrial hemp is increasing steadily, as can be seen by the growing number of countries that have either decriminalized industrial hemp or are contemplating its decriminalization. In line with this trend, Ghana recently decriminalized the cultivation of industrial hemp (the cannabis variety with low Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and high cannabidiol (CBD) content), resulting in the need for research into its benefits to Ghanaians. This article examines cannabis (including industrial hemp) production, facilities for industrial hemp exploitation, and the potential benefits of industrial hemp in Ghana. Main body Indigenous cannabis strains in Ghana have high THC to CBD ratios suggesting the need for the government to purchase foreign hemp seeds, considering that the alternative will require significant research into decreasing the THC to CBD ratio of indigenous cannabis strains. Furthermore, there are several facilities within the country that could be leveraged for the production of medicinal hemp-based drugs, as well as the existence of a number of possible regulatory bodies in the country, suggesting the need for less capital. Research has also shown the potential for treatment of some medical conditions prevalent among Ghanaians using medicinal hemp-based products. These reasons suggest that the most feasible option may be for the government to invest in medicinal hemp. Conclusion Considering the challenges associated with the development of other hemp-based products, the availability of resources in the country for exploitation of medicinal hemp, and the potential benefits of hemp-based drugs to Ghanaians, investing in medicinal hemp may be the best option for the government of Ghana.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00167-4Industrial hempGhanaΔ9-TetrahydrocannabinolCannabidiol |
| spellingShingle | Richard Quansah Amissah Ghana’s preparedness to exploit the medicinal value of industrial hemp Journal of Cannabis Research Industrial hemp Ghana Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Cannabidiol |
| title | Ghana’s preparedness to exploit the medicinal value of industrial hemp |
| title_full | Ghana’s preparedness to exploit the medicinal value of industrial hemp |
| title_fullStr | Ghana’s preparedness to exploit the medicinal value of industrial hemp |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ghana’s preparedness to exploit the medicinal value of industrial hemp |
| title_short | Ghana’s preparedness to exploit the medicinal value of industrial hemp |
| title_sort | ghana s preparedness to exploit the medicinal value of industrial hemp |
| topic | Industrial hemp Ghana Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Cannabidiol |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00167-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT richardquansahamissah ghanaspreparednesstoexploitthemedicinalvalueofindustrialhemp |