Morocco Considers Decriminalizing Alcohol Sales and Consumption for Citizens

Abdellatif Ouahbi is making the decriminalization of the sale and consumption of alcohol - reserved for tourists - his hobby horse. He intends to "review certain liberticide provisions and propose a comprehensive reform [of the Penal Code], including the decriminalization of alcohol consumption by Moroccans," reports Courrier international.

The decriminalization of alcohol and extramarital sexual relations is one of the projects of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) of the current head of government, which was extensively addressed during the 2016 and 2021 election campaigns. But this project is still viewed with a bad eye by the Party of Justice and Development (PJD). An offensive campaign had been led against alcohol during its ten years of power management.

Arrived in power last year, the PAM is keen to engage in a reform in this direction. "There is nothing extraordinary in wanting to decriminalize the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is on sale everywhere: in supermarkets, bars, hotels..." underlines, under the cover of anonymity, one of the leaders of this center-left party.

The number of liters of alcoholic beverages consumed each year in Morocco, a country of 37 million inhabitants, reaches 100 million. The sale of alcohol, for its part, brings in 170 million euros to the State. "In fact, everyone knows that Moroccans drink. We have to end this hypocrisy as soon as possible."