Morocco Passes Law To Legalize Medical Cannabis Cultivation

Morocco in Northern Africa is impressively the world’s largest producer of cannabis resin, according to the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime report in 2020. While most of this hash is sold on the black market throughout Europe, Moroccan officials thought it might be time to legalize medical cannabis cultivation for an economic boost. 

The Ministry of Interior introduced the new law along with several other agencies. We first heard of Morocco’s prospective cultivation space when the law passed last May. Now that things are rolling out, the country’s government hopes it will bring in roughly $420 to $630 million in annual flower sales. 

Not only will the influx of revenue (mostly from foreign buyers throughout Europe) be used for economic development, but to improve the living conditions of women in the three provinces where medical cannabis cultivation is permitted. 

Instead of allowing cultivation throughout the country, Morocco wanted to start by rolling our permits within three of its main provinces, often referred to as the “Gateway to Europe,” according to High Times. It’s said the government strategically chose this route to prevent crime and offer more sustainable operations. 

The first three provinces to receive the green light for medical cannabis cultivation are Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, and Taounate. Chefchaouen was specifically selected as it sits just on the Mediterranean sea, meaning delivery into countries like Spain would be quick and easy. 

High Times notes that the locations selected for cannabis cultivation in Morocco could be seen as an African Emerald Triangle, and the facts to back this up are pretty impressive. As we mentioned earlier, the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime 2020 report notes that Morocco is the world’s largest producer of cannabis resin. 

Furthermore, most European cannabis and hash on the black market are cultivated and produced in Morocco, with over 800,000 workers doing so. Although the country is only permitting three provinces to begin cultivating cannabis, it won’t be long until the government allows all provinces to take a slice of the action. 

Reports say that Morocco hopes to reach an annual growth rate of 60% within the European market. The government hopes to achieve this because the country sits in the perfect geographical position for European investors and also has an existing cannabis culture that employs nearly one million people.