Morocco exports its first medical resins to Switzerland

Morocco has exported its first medical cannabis products, in this case resin to Switzerland.

Swiss society Medropharm AG has teamed up with a Moroccan producer to facilitate this breakthrough. The company, in collaboration with’Swiss embassy in Rabat, has been studying the Moroccan market for over two years in order to develop a supply chain in line with international standards.

The first shipment of medical marijuana Moroccan arrived in Switzerland on February 19, where it will be processed and repackaged for distribution in markets such as the’Australia or the United Kingdom.

«This is a major breakthrough: for the first time, a product long associated with the informal economy is officially entering the international pharmaceutical markets,» said Claudia Zieres-Nauth, CEO of Medropharm AG.

Legalization and economic potential

Morocco's evolution towards a industry legal cannabis follows the promulgation of law 13-21 in 2021. This law regulates the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, by granting licenses to farmers and companies. The transition to a legal framework has been designed to provide outlets for local farmers who have long depended on the cannabis cultivation in the Rif region.

«The expertise of Moroccan farmers, long exploited in clandestine networks, is now part of a structured and scientifically controlled framework,» said Medropharm AG in a statement.

According to estimates, Morocco could generate between 4 and 6 billion a year by 2028 thanks to the export of medical cannabis products. This projection is based on Morocco's strategic advantages, notably its geographical proximity to Europe, his favorable climate and its historical expertise in cannabis cultivation.

A new economic model for farmers

Before legalization cannabis growers Moroccan growers were often at the mercy of traffickers, selling their crops at low prices in precarious conditions. With the new legal framework, the economic prospects of these growers have improved considerably. Visit ministry of the interior estimates that a farmer can now earn a net annual income of around 110,000 dirhams per hectare, which represents at least 40% more than income from illegal cultivation.

The transition to a economy legal cannabis should also attract foreign investments and create new job opportunities in processing, research and export. With over 60,000 families in northern regions which have historically depended on cannabis cultivation, The transition to legality could bring long-term socio-economic stability.

With rising global demand for medical marijuana, Morocco is already positioning itself as a key player in the industry.