RABAT. Morocco has reported its first legal cannabis harvest of 294 metric tons in 2023, marking a significant milestone after the country approved the cultivation and export of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, announced the cannabis regulator ANRAC.
The harvest was carried out by 32 cooperatives comprising 430 farmers across 277 hectares in the northern Rif mountain areas of Al Houceima, Taounat, and Chefchaouen, ANRAC disclosed in an email to Reuters.
Despite the long-standing tradition of cannabis cultivation in the region, officially, recreational cannabis use remains illegal in Morocco. However, in practice, it has been tolerated. The legalization initiative aims to improve farmers’ incomes and shield them from the influence of drug traffickers who have long dominated the illegal cannabis trade.
The move towards legalization also seeks to capitalize on the growing global market for legal cannabis. ANRAC revealed that Morocco awarded 54 export permits last year, highlighting the country’s ambition to tap into this lucrative industry.
ANRAC further disclosed that efforts are underway to expand the legal cannabis sector, with the establishment of two operational cannabis transformation units and plans for two more pending equipment. Additionally, 15 cannabis products are currently undergoing authorization processes for medicinal use.
Morocco’s embrace of legal cannabis signifies a strategic shift aimed at curbing illegal trade while harnessing the economic potential of the cannabis industry, aligning with global trends towards legalization and regulation.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
