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Morocco wants a cannabis variety that requires less water

Published

4 years ago

December 16, 2022

The National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities (ANRAC), Morocco’s cannabis regulatory body, has examined the need to develop a new cannabis variety to alleviate the pressure that cultivation places on groundwater reserves.

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If the original varieties While traditional Moroccan varieties were well-suited to the local climate and terrain—particularly in the Rif region—the introduction of modern varieties has had a significant impact on annual water consumption.

The Daily Newspaper Al Ahdath Al Maghribia, reprinted by Le360.ma, reports that several issues related to optimizing water use in cannabis cultivation were discussed at the most recent ANRAC board meeting, including the launch of a research program that would provide Morocco with improved varieties adapted to national production conditions.

Also involved in the matter, Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, emphasized the importance of scientific research in the development of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. According to him, this requires training specialized engineers and doctors who will work with national university laboratories.

This academic focus should contribute significantly to the achievement of Morocco's goals, such as that of creation of a new variety.

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The Minister of Infrastructure and Water, Nizar Baraka, echoed this sentiment, assuring that efforts will be made in scientific research to develop this national variety, with the aim of helping to ease the pressure on the water table. It is expected, as reported by Al Ahdath Al Maghribia, have specific characteristics that make it more efficient in water use than other varieties, while still being suitable for medical or industrial use.

The newspaper also details the various topics discussed at the meeting, such as the stages of development for the cannabis regulation system. To that end, the agency has reached important milestones in the importation of seeds that comply with the’industrial use of cannabis, according to Mohammed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests.

Furthermore, it reports that Al Ahdath Al Maghribia, the issue of organizing producers and manufacturers operating within the legal cannabis industry was also a central focus of this ANRAC meeting. It was reported that the agency discussed the organization of producers and manufacturers within a federation focused on regulation, marketing, and product promotion. The meeting also addressed providing guidance to producers in the areas of training and support.

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Aurélien BERNARD

Aurélien founded Newsweed in 2015. Particularly interested in international regulations and the various cannabis markets, he also has an extensive knowledge of the plant and its uses.