Morocco: A first successful legal cannabis harvest

Fruitful legal cannabis harvest in Morocco. In a press release relayed by Independent.co.uk, the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC) reports that a total production of 294 tons was achieved in 2023, with yields ranging from 10 to 27 quintals per hectare. This impressive volume comes from the authorized areas of Chefchaouen, Taounate and Al Hoceïma. This first harvest was carried out by 32 cooperatives grouping 430 farmers covering 277 hectares in the mountainous regions of northern Rif in Al Hoceima, Taounat and Chefchaouen, specified the ANRAC.

The Parliament adopted in June 2021 the draft law n°13-21 on the legal uses of cannabis, "for medical, pharmaceutical and industrial purposes" which aims to "convert the illicit crops that are destructive to the environment into sustainable and value-generating legal activities and employment". A year later, a "Moroccan Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis (ANRAC)", responsible for issuing authorizations for all cannabis-related activities (cultivation, processing, marketing, export, etc.) was established. This state agency is already issuing cannabis cultivation permits. This year, the regulator is examining the applications of 1,500 farmers who have organized themselves into 130 cooperatives, the ANRAC also points out, stating that the cultivation of the local drought-resistant variety, known as Beldia, has started this month.

By legalizing cannabis cultivation, Morocco intends to take its share of the booming global market, on the one hand, and to improve the incomes of farmers and protect them from drug traffickers who dominate the cannabis trade and illegally export it, on the other hand. Last year, the kingdom received 54 export permits. So far, two legal cannabis processing units are operational and two others are awaiting equipment, while 15 cannabis-based products are in the process of being authorized for medical use, adds the ANRAC.