Latest news with #ANRAC
Malay Mail
30-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Legal weed brings peace of mind to Moroccan farmers, but black market pays more, faster
More farmers cultivating cannabis legally this year Illegal market still dominant due to profits, lack of red tape Recreational cannabis farming remains banned BAB BERRED (Morocco), July 30 — Beneath the blazing summer sun, Abderrahman Talbi surveyed the neat rows of flourishing cannabis blooms in compact fields, reflecting on how his life has changed since he joined Morocco's burgeoning legal cannabis industry two years ago. Like many farmers in the northern Rif mountains who have long grown the crop illegally, Talbi is relieved that raids and seizures by the authorities are no longer a worry. 'I can now say I am a cannabis farmer without fear,' Talbi told Reuters. 'Peace of mind has no price.' Talbi's pivot to legal farming is an example of what Morocco, one of the world's biggest cannabis producers, hoped to achieve when it legalised cultivation for medical and industrial use, but not for recreational purposes, in 2022. Regulating cannabis farming brought with it hopes for fresh revenue and economic revitalisation in the impoverished Rif region. The step made Morocco a forerunner among major producing countries and the first in the Middle East and North Africa to join a global trend that has seen countries like Canada, Germany and Uruguay legalise production and use. It also hoped to lure farmers away from the illegal economy in the restive Rif mountains, where cannabis production has long been tolerated to facilitate social peace. Al Hoceima, a major city in Rif, saw the largest protests in Morocco in 2016-17 over economic and social conditions. A Moroccan farmer checks on a bundle of dried cannabis in Ketama, in the northern Rif mountains. — Reuters pic Black market's lure persists Legalisation efforts have gained traction, with about 5,000 farmers joining the industry this year, from just 430 in 2023, says Morocco's cannabis regulator, or ANRAC. And legal production surged to nearly 4,200 tonnes last year, a 14-fold increase over the first harvest in 2023. Still, the black market remains dominant and lucrative due to demand for recreational use from Europe and regionally in Africa, potentially undermining efforts to fully regulate the sector. Morocco has 5,800 hectares (14,300 acres) of legally planted land, according to ANRAC. That's dwarfed by illegal cultivation spanning over 27,100 hectares, Interior Ministry data shows. While many farmers still choose illicit cultivation, they face the risk of increased crackdowns by authorities, which led to the seizure of 249 tonnes of cannabis resin by September last year, up 48 per cent from all of 2023, according to the Interior Ministry. Mohammed Azzouzi, 52, spent three years in hiding for cannabis-related charges before receiving a royal pardon along with over 4,800 others last year. Now, he is preparing for his first legal harvest and hopes to earn more than the 10,000 dirhams (US$1,100) he used to make in the illegal economy each year. Red tape The country's prohibition on growing cannabis for leisure use, along with bureaucratic red tape, limit legal farming, with every stage of the supply chain requiring a specific license from ANRAC, discouraging many a farmer from making the switch. A grower who wants to cultivate legally needs to join a licensed cooperative, which buys the farmer's product and processes it into derivatives or sells the resin to other licensed manufacturers. Talbi's cooperative, Biocannat, near the town of Bab Berred, 300 km (186 miles) north of Rabat, bought about 200 tonnes of cannabis last year from some 200 farmers, processing it into resin, supplements, capsules, oils and powders for medical and cosmetic purposes. About 60 km east of Biocannat, in the main producing area of Issaguen, farmer Mohamed El Mourabit was initially hopeful about the legalisation plan in 2021, but is less so now. 'The process is too complicated,' he said. And money talks, as well, for many farmers, who are lured by the higher rewards of the black market, despite its risks. While cooperatives take months to pay farmers about 50 dirhams per kilogram for the raw plant, on the illicit market, processed cannabis resin can fetch up to 2,500 dirhams per kilogram, farmers and activists say. To close that gap, legalisation advocates say growing for recreational use should be allowed, too. But it's not clear whether that will happen soon. Mohamed Guerrouj, head of ANRAC, said legalising recreational use would only be considered within a medical framework. 'The goal is to develop Morocco's pharmaceutical industry ... not coffee shops,' he said. — Reuters
Malay Mail
29-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
[9pm] Legal weed brings peace of mind to Moroccan farmers, but black market pays more, faster
More farmers cultivating cannabis legally this year Illegal market still dominant due to profits, lack of red tape Recreational cannabis farming remains banned BAB BERRED (Morocco), July 30 — Beneath the blazing summer sun, Abderrahman Talbi surveyed the neat rows of flourishing cannabis blooms in compact fields, reflecting on how his life has changed since he joined Morocco's burgeoning legal cannabis industry two years ago. Like many farmers in the northern Rif mountains who have long grown the crop illegally, Talbi is relieved that raids and seizures by the authorities are no longer a worry. 'I can now say I am a cannabis farmer without fear,' Talbi told Reuters. 'Peace of mind has no price.' Talbi's pivot to legal farming is an example of what Morocco, one of the world's biggest cannabis producers, hoped to achieve when it legalised cultivation for medical and industrial use, but not for recreational purposes, in 2022. Regulating cannabis farming brought with it hopes for fresh revenue and economic revitalisation in the impoverished Rif region. The step made Morocco a forerunner among major producing countries and the first in the Middle East and North Africa to join a global trend that has seen countries like Canada, Germany and Uruguay legalise production and use. It also hoped to lure farmers away from the illegal economy in the restive Rif mountains, where cannabis production has long been tolerated to facilitate social peace. Al Hoceima, a major city in Rif, saw the largest protests in Morocco in 2016-17 over economic and social conditions. A Moroccan farmer checks on a bundle of dried cannabis in Ketama, in the northern Rif mountains. — Reuters pic Black market's lure persists Legalisation efforts have gained traction, with about 5,000 farmers joining the industry this year, from just 430 in 2023, says Morocco's cannabis regulator, or ANRAC. And legal production surged to nearly 4,200 tonnes last year, a 14-fold increase over the first harvest in 2023. Still, the black market remains dominant and lucrative due to demand for recreational use from Europe and regionally in Africa, potentially undermining efforts to fully regulate the sector. Morocco has 5,800 hectares (14,300 acres) of legally planted land, according to ANRAC. That's dwarfed by illegal cultivation spanning over 27,100 hectares, Interior Ministry data shows. While many farmers still choose illicit cultivation, they face the risk of increased crackdowns by authorities, which led to the seizure of 249 tonnes of cannabis resin by September last year, up 48 per cent from all of 2023, according to the Interior Ministry. Mohammed Azzouzi, 52, spent three years in hiding for cannabis-related charges before receiving a royal pardon along with over 4,800 others last year. Now, he is preparing for his first legal harvest and hopes to earn more than the 10,000 dirhams (US$1,100) he used to make in the illegal economy each year. Red tape The country's prohibition on growing cannabis for leisure use, along with bureaucratic red tape, limit legal farming, with every stage of the supply chain requiring a specific license from ANRAC, discouraging many a farmer from making the switch. A grower who wants to cultivate legally needs to join a licensed cooperative, which buys the farmer's product and processes it into derivatives or sells the resin to other licensed manufacturers. Talbi's cooperative, Biocannat, near the town of Bab Berred, 300 km (186 miles) north of Rabat, bought about 200 tonnes of cannabis last year from some 200 farmers, processing it into resin, supplements, capsules, oils and powders for medical and cosmetic purposes. About 60 km east of Biocannat, in the main producing area of Issaguen, farmer Mohamed El Mourabit was initially hopeful about the legalisation plan in 2021, but is less so now. 'The process is too complicated,' he said. And money talks, as well, for many farmers, who are lured by the higher rewards of the black market, despite its risks. While cooperatives take months to pay farmers about 50 dirhams per kilogram for the raw plant, on the illicit market, processed cannabis resin can fetch up to 2,500 dirhams per kilogram, farmers and activists say. To close that gap, legalisation advocates say growing for recreational use should be allowed, too. But it's not clear whether that will happen soon. Mohamed Guerrouj, head of ANRAC, said legalising recreational use would only be considered within a medical framework. 'The goal is to develop Morocco's pharmaceutical industry ... not coffee shops,' he said. — Reuters
Morocco World
23-06-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
UM6P Partners with ANRAC to Boost Medical Cannabis Research in Morocco
Rabat – The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities (ANRAC) have signed a partnership agreement to work together on research into the medical and pharmaceutical uses of cannabis in Morocco. This collaboration will focus on scientific research using tested medical methods to study how cannabis can be used to treat health problems, UM6P said in a press release. The goal is to better understand the active compounds in cannabis and how they might help treat certain illnesses safely and effectively. The researchers will use tools like laboratory testing, computer modeling, and data analysis to learn more about how cannabis might work in medical treatments. They will follow strict health and safety rules throughout the research, added the statement. The agreement also includes plans to share research results with professionals in the health, pharmacy, and clinical research sectors. This is to ensure that any scientific discoveries can be used in real-life treatments under proper supervision. In addition to research, the partnership will offer training programs for doctors, pharmacists, researchers, and other healthcare professionals. These courses will teach about how cannabis works in the body, the legal rules for using it, and how to include cannabis-based treatments in patient care. A separate agreement was also signed with the African Genome Center at UM6P to support a special project on studying the local cannabis variety called 'Beldia' using advanced genetic tools. The aim is to understand this local plant better and make sure it is protected and traceable. This entire initiative is part of a bigger plan to build strong scientific knowledge about medical cannabis in Morocco. It brings together science, health care, legal standards, and ethics to develop safe and well-regulated medical uses for cannabis in the country, concluded the statement. In recent years, Morocco has undertaken several regulatory reforms to transition its long-standing cannabis economy toward a legal, controlled system. In 2021, the Moroccan parliament passed a law permitting the cultivation of cannabis strictly for medical, cosmetic, and industrial purposes. To enforce this, the government established the ANRAC, tasked with licensing farmers, processing facilities, exporters, and controlling THC thresholds, seed certification, traceability, and security across approved zones in the Rif region. Between 2022 and 2024, ANRAC issued thousands of licenses covering cultivation on more than 2,700 hectares, with legal production topping 4,000 tonnes. To incentivize transition, King Mohammed VI in August 2024 pardoned nearly 4,800 farmers convicted of illicit cannabis cultivation and helped them access the legal market.
Morocco World
02-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Economic Impact of Cannabis Legalization on Moroccan Agriculture
Morocco has long stood as one of the world's top producers of hashish, with an estimated 47,000 hectares dedicated to cannabis cultivation in 2019, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. For decades, the crop thrived in legal limbo, especially across the northern Rif Mountains. Now, with sweeping reforms under Law 13-21, cannabis is entering a new phase – regulated, taxed, and poised to transform rural Moroccan agriculture. A New Legal Framework In 2021, Morocco passed Law 13-21, legalizing cannabis for medical, cosmetic, and industrial purposes. The move sought to regulate a long-standing black market, protect farmers, and boost the national economy through exports. By 2024, the National Agency for the Regulation of Activities Related to Cannabis (ANRAC) had issued 2,905 licenses for legal cultivation , processing, and marketing, primarily in the provinces of Taounate, Al Hoceima, and Chefchaouen. This regulatory shift not only legitimizes an industry that was once the backbone of informal rural economies – it provides farmers with legal protections, direct access to markets, and a path to sustainable income. Beyond Decriminalization: An Economic Engine For decades, tens of thousands of Moroccan farmers relied on cannabis cultivation as their primary source of income. Yet in the absence of regulation, they were left at the mercy of smugglers and middlemen. Prices fluctuated wildly, and farmers risked arrest or land seizures. Now, with the introduction of legal frameworks, the government has turned cannabis into a strategic crop. According to the Moroccan Ministry of Interior, the legal sector has the potential to generate over $1 billion annually in export revenue, once fully operational. The first legal cannabis processing plant opened in Taounate in late 2023, representing a turning point for the domestic cannabis economy. The facility is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and provide a consistent supply chain for local cooperatives and international buyers. Job Creation and Rural Renewal Job creation is one of the most immediate effects of legalization. Not only are farmers now formally employed through licensed cooperatives, but auxiliary roles have emerged in logistics, testing, packaging, and compliance. According to ANRAC, each licensed hectare supports approximately 10 jobs – ranging from cultivation to quality control. This influx of legal work has begun to reduce the exodus of young people from rural regions, who often left to seek employment in urban centers or abroad. With proper investment in infrastructure and education, cannabis could anchor broader rural development in Morocco's underserved regions. Global Trade and Moroccan Exports Morocco exported its first legal cannabis shipment to Switzerland in 2024 , marking its entry into the international medical cannabis market. This export followed strict EU pharmaceutical standards, a testament to the country's commitment to compliance and quality assurance. As more countries liberalize cannabis laws, Morocco is strategically positioned to become a major supplier – particularly to Europe, where proximity and climate advantages play in its favour. The demand for organic, high-THC, and terpene-rich cannabis strains could open new avenues for Moroccan exporters. Some seed companies, such as Herbies Seeds , have already taken note of Morocco's favorable climate and genetics, often referencing the country's landrace strains in their catalogues for growers looking for heritage and stability in cultivation. Barriers to Entry and Remaining Challenges Despite the promising numbers, not all farmers have been able to make the transition. Some critics argue that license distribution has been slow and bureaucratic, making it difficult for smaller, poorer farmers to join the legal market. There are also concerns about corporate monopolies edging out traditional growers and shifting control away from rural communities. Moreover, environmental risks loom. Large-scale cannabis cultivation, if not managed properly, could worsen water scarcity issues, especially in mountainous regions already vulnerable to climate stress. Looking Ahead Legal cannabis is more than just a new industry for Morocco – it's a test case for rural revitalization through agricultural reform. If the legal framework remains inclusive, transparent, and environmentally conscious, Morocco could emerge not only as a cannabis powerhouse, but also as a model for sustainable development in post-prohibition economies. For now, the early data paints a hopeful picture. Farmers have begun to shed the stigma and insecurity of the black market. Investment is flowing. Jobs are returning. And Morocco is no longer just a global supplier of hashish – it is becoming a legitimate player in the fast-growing global cannabis economy. Tags: Cannabiscannabis agricultureeconomy cannabisMorocco cannabis
