Morocco: Three Cannabis-Based Medications Approved for the Treatment of Epilepsy

The pharmaceutical company Sothema has just received some marketing authorizations (MA) for three cannabis-based medications intended for the treatment of epilepsy. This is a significant regulatory step forward, although patients will still have to wait before they can obtain these treatments at pharmacies.

Three Drugs Developed Through a Moroccan Scientific Collaboration

Developed in partnership with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health (FM6SS), these three drugs represent the first approvals obtained by Sothema in the field of medical cannabis. The pharmaceutical group, led by Lamia Tazi, has been conducting research on cannabinoids for several years, with the goal of developing treatments that meet the standards of the pharmaceutical industry.

This collaboration took shape in July 2025 with an agreement with the Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation (CM6RI). The partners operate a research facility in Bouskoura, near Casablanca, dedicated to studying the therapeutic applications of the CBD and THC.

However, several key details remain unknown. Sothema has not disclosed the brand names of the drugs, their exact formulations, their prices, or their launch dates.

Approvals have been obtained, but there are no immediate plans for commercialization

Obtaining a AMM does not mean that the treatments are immediately available to patients. The three drugs must still meet the final regulatory requirements with the’Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AMMPS) before they are distributed.

With these new approvals, Morocco now has four registered cannabis-based medications for epilepsy. The The fourth was developed by the laboratory Pharma 5, unveiled in December 2024 and recently showcased at the CPHI pharmaceutical trade show in Milan.

None of the four treatments is currently available in Moroccan pharmacies. Whether they will be covered by health insurance also remains an open question, which could affect their future accessibility.

Drug-Resistant Epilepsy at the Center of Research

Beyond regulatory approvals, Sothema plans to continue its clinical work. In particular, a study is being considered with the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tangier and the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Tangier to evaluate treatments in the’Drug-resistant epilepsy in children. This form of the disease, characterized by persistent seizures despite appropriate treatment, represents a significant medical challenge.

The laboratory's research also covers other indications, including multiple sclerosis and chronic pain.

Morocco is strengthening its medical cannabis industry

Since the adoption in 2021 of a legal framework authorizing cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, Morocco has been accelerating the development of a regulated industry, overseen by the’National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities (ANRAC).

This trend is also reflected in growing international activity. As of mid-October 2026, ANRAC had authorized 146 export transactions to fifteen countries, covering 17 products and representing the equivalent of 312 metric tons of dry matter.

Sothema is part of this industrial trend. Together with its partner Cannaflex, the laboratory conducted, among other things, a export of medical cannabis extract derived from the Moroccan variety Beldia, intended for the manufacture of drugs.

These new approvals are part of a broader pharmaceutical strategy. In September 2025, Morocco announced its intention to market 15 cannabis-based medications before the end of the year, even though 67 cannabis-derived products—primarily cosmetics and dietary supplements—had already been approved.