Morocco Weighs Cannabis Legalization as Global Trend Grows

The legalization of cannabis in Morocco, long debated in Parliament, has been relegated to the Greek Kalends. By making this courageous decision, Morocco would be the second Arab country to authorize the cultivation of cannabis for therapeutic purposes and could also replenish its coffers during this period of global financial and health crisis.

Pending government approval, some Moroccan political parties, including Istiqlal and the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), have proposed bills aimed at legalizing cannabis for medical use.

According to a recent report by the World Customs Organization, dated 2013, "Morocco remains undoubtedly the reference source country for cannabis resin". While the gross revenue from the sale of cannabis by growers was estimated at around 3.5 billion dirhams (for the year 2005), the kingdom could earn $916 million from the production of recreational cannabis and $28 million from the production of medical cannabis, just by legalizing this drug.

According to Jeune Afrique, this indecision of the government is justified by the pressure it receives from European and American decision-makers. Europe and the United States are said to have paid tens of millions of dollars in recent years to support the eradication of cannabis production, in consultation with the authorities of the kingdom.

The therapeutic virtues of this prohibited plant are numerous, especially cannabis available over-the-counter in most European capitals, or "cannabidol" known as "CBD" - with a very low THC content, the molecule that allows the "high". There is hope that within a few years, the country will end up legalizing this plant and make people happy in terms of health, while also making savings.