Moroccan Party Leader Calls for Amnesty for Cannabis Farmers Ahead of Legalization

"The most important thing is that there needs to be a general amnesty for farmers who have been convicted of cannabis cultivation. Because it is absurd to maintain sanctions and prosecutions against cultivators of this plant in the event that this law is adopted, so that these people can come out of the clandestinity and live normally," said Abdellatif Ouahbi during his appearance on Med radio. According to him, these people represent only the weak link in the drug trafficking that "mainly benefits the big drug barons, who, for their part, should not be granted an amnesty."

The guest of the Al Iissaba program hammered that his plea in no way constitutes an "electoral calculation of the PAM." "The issue of cannabis cultivation has been raised in Morocco since the protectorate. It is difficult to change this agricultural activity in certain areas. The time has come to organize it so that cannabis becomes a source of income for the growers for its use in medicine," explained Abdellatif Ouahbi.

That is why his party is making it a priority. "We propose that cannabis processing plants and laboratories be created near the plantations, for example in Chaouen or Nador to recruit local labor," said the PAM Secretary General. He also said that "direct and indirect jobs will be created in addition to improving the living conditions of the populations of these regions, especially since the prices will be determined by competition on the international market."

The PAM also proposes that the Moroccan government create a support fund for investors in the laboratories that will produce medicines from cannabis, added the politician.