The National Agency for the Legalization of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC) has launched a call for proposals to conduct a study to develop a strategic plan for the development of a cannabis network for legal use, worth 4.9 million dirhams, or about $500 million. centimes.
The agency was established by Law No. 13-21 and is responsible for the implementation of the state strategy for the cultivation, production, processing, processing and export of cannabis, as well as the import of products from it for medical, pharmaceutical and industrial purposes.
The agency indicated in the request for proposals file that the opportunities for growing medical and industrial cannabis in Morocco remain promising, given the system available in Morocco, which includes soil, suitable climate, proximity to the European market and the knowledge accumulated by traditional farmers. This sector also provides great opportunities at the global level.
Morocco aims to make this sector a factor of social and economic development based on competitiveness and sustainable development. Given the intersection of this sector and the many stakeholders, the Agency believes that the file should develop a national strategic vision to achieve the necessary benefits. and participation of various institutional and economic actors.
The goal of the strategy, according to the agency, is to prepare a strategic plan for the medium and long term (ten years), starting with market research and analysis of the international and local market for medical and industrial cannabis, and then developing a plan and program of activities for its implementation.
Notably, the agency had issued 230 licenses in favor of farmers, companies and cooperatives to work in the cannabis sector for medical and industrial use as of mid-January.
In 2021, Morocco announced a cannabis legalization trend, and during the past year, the government passed a law regulating this activity, with Mohamed El Krouj appointed acting director of the National Agency for the Legalization of Cannabis.
By legalizing the use of cannabis, Morocco aims to mobilize national investment and attract companies specializing in the legal use of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, as well as to enter the European market for export.
The Kingdom’s stake in the development of legal cannabis cultivation is also aimed at increasing the income of farmers and protecting them from international drug smuggling networks. The law provides that all activities related to cannabis and its products are subject to a licensing system for the development of a production network dealing with cannabis.
According to a report on a new development model, cannabis cultivation is spreading through small agricultural operations in rural areas, with a total area estimated at 50,000 hectares. Cultivation and processing of this plant in the traditional way are considered the main sources of income for about 100,000 families.
