Authorizations for Cannabis Cultivation Increase in Morocco

The number of authorizations issued by the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC) has increased dramatically since the beginning of 2024. According to the latest available figures, ANRAC has issued nearly 3,000 authorizations for cannabis cultivation, compared to 609 in 2023.

In detail, 2,800 authorizations were granted to 2,600 farmers in the provinces of Taounate, Chefchaouen and Al Hoceima, for the activity of cannabis cultivation and production (compared to 430 authorizations granted in 2023), and 200 authorizations for this same activity to 98 operators (one pharmaceutical establishment, 23 cooperatives, 24 individuals and 50 companies).

The number of authorizations have increased

The 200 authorizations granted to operators (in addition to the 179 issued in 2023) are divided into 59 authorizations for industrial purposes, one for processing for medical purposes, 49 for marketing activities, 39 for export purposes, 24 for seeds for import, 18 for transport activities and one authorization for nursery creation activities.

As for the cannabis acreages in Taounate, Chefchaouen and Al Hoceima, the volume is expected to reach 2,400 hectares by 2024. To date, 1,700 hectares have already been planted, including 1,500 hectares in Beldia, which is currently in the harvesting phase.

The Ministry of Health has issued 19 registration certificates, nine for food supplements and 10 for cosmetic and personal hygiene products, knowing that the other products being examined by the DMP will soon be able to obtain these documents, if they meet all the required criteria.

Cannabis products are sold since June 1st in Morocco

On June 1st, the marketing of dietary supplements and cosmetic products based on legal cannabis will officially begin in Morocco. To date, nine dietary supplements and ten cosmetic products have been registered by the Directorate of Medicines and Pharmacy (DMP).

Initially, these products will be available exclusively in pharmacies. However, according to Law 13-21, processors and manufacturers have the possibility to open their own points of sale, provided they meet the required legal criteria and obtain authorization from the National Regulatory Agency for Activities Related to Cannabis (ANRAC).

This announcement was made following a meeting held today at ANRAC headquarters. The session, chaired by Mohammed El Guerrouj, Governor and Director General of ANRAC, had as its main objective to discuss the marketing of medicinal and non-medicinal cannabis-based products.

The debate clarified the regulations based on the THC content of the products: “When the THC is higher than 1%, the product is intended exclusively for the pharmaceutical industry, requiring transformation into a medicine. On the other hand, if the THC is lower than 1%, the processing possibilities are extended to cosmetic products, food supplements, construction materials, among others. It was clarified that food supplements must contain CBD with a THC of less than 0.3%, while cosmetic products must be made with CBD with a THC of 0%.”

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(Featured image by CRYSTALWEED cannabis via Unsplash)

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First published in LA RAZON. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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