Most European cannabis still comes from Morocco

The 2015 report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) reports that Morocco remains the world's No. 1 cannabis producer and Europe's main supplier of cannabis resin.

The UN-affiliated body notes that since its last visit in 2009, the Kingdom of Morocco has shown a high level of cooperation in its anti-narcotics efforts, notably in prevention among cannabis-using citizens, in the reduction of land under cannabis cultivation and in the treatment of drug addiction.

In 2013, Morocco reported that around 47,000 hectares were used to harvest cannabis within its borders. In light of Morocco's efforts to reduce the prevalence of the plant, the INCB expects the area under cultivation to decrease to 34,000 hectares in the coming years.

Beyond these slight advances in controlling cannabis production and consumption, Morocco is increasingly involved in cocaine trafficking.

«While cannabis seizures have, according to Moroccan authorities, decreased drastically since 2012, the country is witnessing the emergence of cocaine trafficking, which is illegally imported from Brazil and transits West Africa and Morocco to reach Europe,» notes the report.

Spain, the main point of entry into Europe for cannabis produced in Morocco, seizes more than two-thirds of the total volume of pot seized in Europe.

In addition, although law enforcement efforts have led to a reduction in the area used for cannabis cultivation, the THC concentration in Moroccan cannabis resin continues to rise, due to both the introduction of intensive production techniques and the cultivation of plants with a high THC content.

In 2014, Morocco, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Pakistan were the main countries of origin for cannabis resin consumed in Western Europe.