Morocco wants to become a global leader in medical cannabis

Long a subject of controversy, medical cannabis is now at the heart of structured clinical research in Morocco. During a high-level meeting involving doctors, regulators and industrialists, academic authorities confirmed the shift towards a strictly pharmacological approach to the plant, reports Le Matin. With 109 products already registered and available in 600 points of sale, the country is no longer content to regulate cultivation, but aims to produce its own scientific data through national clinical references.

The "Epican" project is the spearhead of this ambition. This clinical trial, led by the Tangier University Hospital and supported by the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC), involves 50 patients aged 6 months to 18 years suffering from drug-resistant epilepsies. The study uses a 100% Moroccan CBD extract, from local varieties whose safety profile is already documented. Beyond the reduction of seizures, the researchers are integrating pharmacogenomic analyses to understand individual responses according to the genetic profile of the patients.

An industrial sector oriented towards the international market

The dynamism of the sector is also reflected in major industrial advances. For the first time, a nationally produced product, Beldiya Plus, has been prescribed internationally, marking Morocco’s entry into the global medical cannabinoid market. Currently, 45 new products are under development, combining traditional agricultural know-how with international pharmaceutical standards. The National Council of the Order of Physicians ensures that this integration respects a rigorous ethics, by limiting the use of CBD to proven therapeutic impasses.

Prescription recommendations are already effective in five key disciplines, including neurology and geriatrics, while oncology and psychiatry are in the integration phase. Drawing on the analysis of 1,700 global scientific references, Moroccan experts intend to transform the country into a regional leader in knowledge production. The ultimate goal is to offer precise therapeutic solutions capable of improving the dignity of patients and the quality of life of their families, while guaranteeing full traceability of the products.