Morocco celebrated its inaugural legal cannabis harvest in 2023, totaling 294 metric tons, following the country’s authorization for cultivation and export for medicinal and industrial purposes, reported cannabis regulator ANRAC.
The harvest, overseen by 32 cooperatives comprising 430 farmers across 277 hectares in the northern Rif mountain regions of Al Houceima, Taounat, and Chefchaouen, marks a significant milestone, ANRAC informed media via email.
The United Nations drug agency notes that approximately 47,000 hectares of the Rif are dedicated to cannabis cultivation, a reduction from about a third of the area in 2003 due to government interventions.
This year, ANRAC disclosed that it is evaluating applications from 1,500 farmers organized into 130 cooperatives.
Cultivation of the local drought-resistant strain, known as Beldia, commenced this month, ANRAC confirmed.
Despite Morocco’s prominent status as a cannabis producer, recreational cannabis use remains illegal officially, albeit tolerated in practice.
Communities in northern Morocco, where cannabis is a primary economic activity, have historically cultivated and consumed the plant openly, often mixed with tobacco in traditional pipes.
The legalization aims to uplift farmers’ livelihoods and shield them from the dominance of drug traffickers who control the illegal cannabis trade.
ANRAC revealed that two legal cannabis processing facilities are operational, with two more awaiting equipment. Additionally, 15 cannabis products are in the authorization pipeline for medicinal purposes.
Morocco is eyeing entry into the burgeoning global legal cannabis market, having granted 54 export permits last year.
