Morocco to Authorize 3 Provinces to Cultivate Cannabis

Morocco is finally about to formalize its already well-established cannabis market with the signing in of some provisions on legal cannabis. The new provisions will define what zones are permitted for the cultivation of it, and will include some that are already established. The new laws also contain a social aspect, along with the introduction of an advisory council to oversee applications.

The Moroccan Government Council, meeting last Thursday, clarified by decree some provisions of law n° 13.21 on the legal use of cannabis in Morocco. The new text, which still allows the legalization of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, gives an idea of the contours of this future legal market.

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Defining the Boundaries for Cultivation in Morocco

The most notable point is the delimitation of the areas in Morocco that will be able to host cannabis cultivation. The decree now sets out the regions in which it will be permitted to authorize activities related to the cultivation, production, establishment, and exploitation of cannabis.

The provinces of Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, and Taounate, which already cultivate cannabis, have been selected as a first step, with the possibility of adding other provinces according to the interest shown by investors in Morocco and abroad.

Morocco to Address Social Elements

In addition to an economic vocation, the Moroccan legalization project has above all a social vocation, in particular, to get out the historical cultivators in Morocco who have an environment and climate favorable to cannabis cultivation, and ancestral knowledge, but work for the black market.

The text also stresses that the National Regulatory Agency in Morocco will be the body in charge of issuing licenses. In order to prevent the exploitation of legal cannabis for illegal purposes, it will have to receive detailed monthly reports from licensees on the state of cannabis seeds, plants, and finished products.

Establishment of Advisory Council

The draft also provides for the establishment of an Advisory Commission which will be responsible for examining and giving its opinion on applications for authorizations in Morocco. Chaired by the Director-General of the Agency or his representative, this commission will include representatives of the departments concerned.

The regulation also authorizes the Ministries of the Interior, Agriculture, Health, Trade, and Industry to decide on the cultivation, production, processing, manufacture, transport, and export of cannabis from Morocco. These authorities will also be able to decide on the tetrahydrocannabinol content of the varieties to be imported and cultivated in Morocco.

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