Morocco unveils an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the cannabis sector into a major source of economic development. This project provides for the construction of cannabis processing plants in the provinces of Chefchaouen, Taounate and Al-Hoceima, regions historically known for their production of this plant.
The facilities, each covering 600 square meters, will be equipped with modern infrastructure to manage the production process, from the receipt of raw materials to the storage of finished products. The main purpose is to produce cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive substance used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Each facility will have specialized areas for CBD extraction, separation, purification, manufacturing, packaging and labeling. Respecting strict environmental standards, these facilities will treat waste responsibly to minimize their ecological impact.
Funded by the Northern Regions Development Agency (ADRN), this project received a budget of 1,702,000 dirhams, or approximately 160,000 euros, for the first factory located in Al-Hoceima. The call for tenders for the studies and construction of the factories has already been launched, and the selected companies will sign 36-month contracts with the agency.
This initiative is part of a global strategy aimed at regulating and developing the cannabis industry in Morocco, implemented since the legalization of the use of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes in 2021. The National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Related Activities (ANRAC) issued 2,905 permits covering a total area of 2,552 hectares, encompassing activities related to the cultivation, processing, marketing, export and transportation of cannabis.
The permits were mainly granted to farmers in northern Morocco who, despite having cultivated cannabis for generations, had to face repression and poverty. Legalization offers these farmers the opportunity to increase their income, improve their living conditions and integrate into the formal economy.
Hoping to become a key player in the European cannabis market, estimated between 420 and 630 million dollars annually, Morocco is banking on innovation and sustainability to make cannabis an engine of economic growth and social development for its regions. north. This plan also aims to strengthen the country’s competitiveness against other global producers such as Canada, Uruguay and South Africa.
