Morocco exports its cannabis resin legally for the first time

For the first time, Morocco has legally exported cannabis produced on its soil. The country sent 100 kilos of resin to Switzerland, with a THC content of less than 1%, for a reported price of between 1,400 and 1,800 euros per kilo. Although financially symbolic, this first export is part of a broader legislative reform. to harness Morocco's potential on the global legal cannabis market.

The boom in legal cannabis production

Since the legalization of cannabis for specific purposes in 2021, Morocco has experienced renewed interest from investors. According to Insight Partners, the global medical cannabis market is expected to exceed $50 billion by 2028, a lucrative opportunity for Moroccan players. The Fédération marocaine de l'industrie pharmaceutique et de l'innovation (FMIIP) forecasts potential annual revenues of between 4.2 and 6.3 billion dirhams, provided the country captures a significant share of the European market.

Morocco's strict regulatory framework has not discouraged the participation of local and international companies. Sothema, a leading pharmaceutical company, has already developed several cannabis-based medicines to treat chronic diseases such as cancer and the multiple sclerosis. Khalid El-Attaoui, Director of Axess Pharma, predicts that these drugs will be on the market by 2025, targeting major European markets such as Germany, Denmark and France.

Economic impact and exit from the illegal market

Despite its promising prospects, the Moroccan cannabis faces major challenges. Regulatory obstacles, in particular the strict requirements concerning psychotropic substances, hinder market entry and product development. Moroccan stakeholders remain optimistic, stressing Morocco's adherence to international standards in terms of cultivation and manufacturing practices.

In Rabat, the Agence nationale de régulation des activités liées au cannabis (ANRAC) sees cannabis as an important processing sector. ANRAC's vision extends beyond medicine to encompass industries such as aeronautics, agri-food and textiles, all poised to benefit from innovations derived from industrial hemp.

Morocco's transition from illicit to legal cannabis cultivation is a crucial step towards sustainable agricultural practices. ANRAC reports a substantial increase in authorized cultivation areas. Although challenges such as climate variability and production costs persist, initiatives aimed at rehabilitating ancestral cannabis varieties, adapted to local conditions, such as «beldia», are underway.