Moroccan Cannabis Loses Ground to North American Competition

The number of countries identifying Morocco as the origin of seized cannabis shipments peaked between 2014 and 2016, with 15 to 16 states. Since 2017, this indicator has declined progressively and reached its lowest level in 2024 during the studied period, according to the UNODC’s 2026 World Drug Report.

On Bladi.net : Morocco Cannabis Seizures Rise Against Global Decline Trend

At the same time, North America is establishing itself in international circuits. Between 2015 and 2024, 57 countries or territories outside this region identified it as a source of seized cannabis, compared to only 11 during the previous decade. This growth concerns mainly products from the United States and Canada.

Their cannabis, often produced indoors and displaying high THC content, now reaches Europe, Oceania, and East and Southeast Asia. Legalization in several North American jurisdictions has fostered the development of abundant and diversified production, part of which also feeds foreign illegal markets.

This competition occurs as consumers gradually turn away from traditional resin in favor of herb. Global resin seizures have dropped more than 50% since 2020, while herb now represents the bulk of cannabis intercepted worldwide.

On Bladi.net : Morocco: Illegal cannabis cultivation down 85% in twenty years

Morocco nevertheless maintains a major role in hashish production, particularly for the Iberian Peninsula. Seizures made in the kingdom have even allowed North Africa to surpass Western and Central Europe in resin volume intercepted in 2024. But in a market increasingly focused on high-potency herb, the historical dominance of Moroccan cannabis is now being challenged.