Morocco Unveils Initial Studies on Cannabis Legalization for Medical and Industrial Use

Following the start of the examination in committee by the deputies of the provisions of Bill No. 13.21 related to the legal uses of cannabis, this day organized on Tuesday by the Commission on the Interior, Local Authorities, Housing and Urban Policy made it possible to clarify the data available to the government on the studies already carried out. Thus, "there is nothing to hide," said Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit during this meeting, stressing that with a view to finding the right solutions for legal exploitation of cannabis, a study on the importance of developing Indian hemp for medical purposes at the national level has been carried out.

This study revealed that the kingdom has promising opportunities for the development of Indian hemp for medical, cosmetic and industrial purposes, thanks to its climate, its soil, the know-how of farmers and above all, its strategic position close to the emerging European market. In addition, the text will make it possible to better develop the income of farmers and facilitate the creation of sustainable job opportunities. Furthermore, this draft law aims to protect farmers from international drug trafficking networks, the minister said.

In addition, Bill No. 13.21 relating to the legal uses of cannabis presented by Laftit aims to curb the consequences of illicit cannabis cultivation on public health and the environment, mainly deforestation, soil depletion and water resources, pollution of groundwater and others. Likewise, this law aims to create the legal, organizational and procedural rules necessary to ban the diversion of legalization from its legal objectives. Furthermore, following the recognition of the virtues of cannabis by the United Nations, several countries in Europe, America, Africa and Asia have developed profitable approaches on this subject, by putting in place laws allowing its legalization and its legal uses, Laftit concluded.