Morocco’s First Legal Cannabis Harvest Yields 294 Metric Tons in 2023

Morocco has reported its inaugural legal cannabis harvest, marking a significant milestone after the country sanctioned its cultivation and export for medicinal and industrial purposes, according to the cannabis regulator ANRAC.

The harvest, which amounted to 294 metric tons, was orchestrated by 32 cooperatives comprising 430 farmers operating across 277 hectares in the northern Rif mountain regions of Al Houceima, Taounat, and Chefchaouen, ANRAC revealed in correspondence with Reuters.

The United Nations drugs agency has noted that approximately 47,000 hectares of the Rif region are dedicated to cannabis cultivation, representing a reduction from about a third of the area cultivated in 2003 following government crackdowns.

ANRAC disclosed that this year, it is evaluating applications from 1,500 farmers organized into 130 cooperatives. Cultivation of the local drought-resistant landrace, known as Beldia, commenced this month.

Despite Morocco's status as a major cannabis producer, the recreational use of cannabis remains officially illegal, although it is tolerated in practice.

Northern Morocco, where nearly a million people reside, relies heavily on cannabis cultivation as a primary economic activity. The plant has been cultivated and consumed publicly for generations, typically mixed with tobacco and smoked in traditional long-stemmed pipes with clay bowls.

The legalization initiative aims to enhance farmers' incomes and shield them from the influence of drug traffickers who have historically dominated the illegal cannabis trade.

ANRAC further disclosed that two legal cannabis processing units are operational, with two additional facilities awaiting equipment. Additionally, 15 cannabis products are in the process of receiving authorization for medicinal applications.

Morocco is also positioning itself to capitalize on the expanding global market for legal cannabis, having issued 54 export permits last year.