Morocco: ANRAC issues 50 additional licenses for cannabis companies

The Moroccan Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities (ANRAC) has granted new licenses to companies wishing to engage in legal cannabis-related activities, according to the Moroccan online news site Hespress.

“Fifty new licenses have been granted to more than 20 industry players,” a source who wished to remain anonymous told the Moroccan website, noting that a recent meeting of the advisory committee responsible for reviewing license applications led to the approval of the licenses.

Among the approximately 20 entities that have received the license are two cooperatives responsible for processing, marketing, and exporting the product.

The source also stated that, in total, more than 100 licenses were issued by the same agency to approximately 35 operators who will be responsible for marketing cannabis-derived products in Morocco and abroad. In October 2022, Only 10 licenses had been issued.

As a reminder, the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities is the governing and oversight body responsible for ensuring the proper implementation of the Law No. 13.21 on the Lawful Uses of Cannabis in Morocco.

The law stipulates that licenses shall be granted for nine activities, including production and agriculture carried out by farmers who are native to the region, work the land, and come from one of the three designated regions namely Chefchaouen, Taounate, and Al Hoceima.

The second activity involves the production and cultivation of seedlings, the importation of seeds and seedlings, or the exportation of the latter—activities carried out by individuals rather than businesses. The remaining activities are carried out by businesses, specifically those related to the processing, transportation, marketing, and export of cannabis, as well as the import of cannabis-based products.

ANRAC is expected to launch this week its website, which will allow users to submit license applications without having to visit the office in person.