Morocco's Cannabis Export: A New Frontier in Legal Trade

Tuesday 13 August 2024 - 15:10

In 2023, Moroccan operators successfully exported 200 kilograms of legal cannabis resin, marking a significant step in the nation's burgeoning cannabis industry. This resin, with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content below 1%, was priced between €1,500 and €1,800 per kilogram, depending on its cannabidiol and THC concentrations.

Since adopting Law 13-21 in 2021, Morocco has positioned itself as a leader among African nations embracing cannabis for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. The law allows cannabis use under strict regulations, ensuring THC levels remain at or below the 1% threshold set by a joint decree from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministries of Health and Agriculture.

As part of the regulatory framework, Morocco's Customs and Indirect Tax Administration issued guidelines to facilitate the law’s implementation. These include specific conditions for the import and export of cannabis seeds and plants, requiring authorization from the National Agency for Regulation of Cannabis-related Activities (ANRAC). Only Moroccan citizens meeting all eligibility criteria, such as age requirements, can obtain permits to produce and market cannabis.

By April 2023, ANRAC had issued 2,905 authorizations for legal cannabis production. Reports suggest that Morocco is ambitiously targeting European markets, aiming for a 10% to 15% market share. An article by Le Monde in July highlighted Morocco's potential in this domain.

Looking ahead, Morocco projects annual revenues from the cannabis industry to reach MAD 4.2 to 6.3 billion within four years, signaling a promising future for this legal enterprise.