Morocco Launches First Legal Cannabis Cultivation Season with International Seeds
Morocco begins its first legal cannabis cultivation season, distributing international seeds to northern provinces, aiming to regulate and expand the industry
Key Points
- 1Morocco starts its first legal cannabis cultivation season
- 2International seeds distributed to northern provinces
- 3Over 170 farmers involved in the initial phase
- 4Government plans to expand to 500 farmers next season
- 5Strict regulations govern seed importation and distribution
Morocco has officially commenced its first legal cannabis cultivation season, marking a significant milestone two years after the country's parliament passed a law to regulate the widespread activity. The initiative aims to transform the nation's cannabis industry by providing a legal framework for cultivation, which has traditionally been a significant part of the local economy but often operated outside the law
The inaugural batch of cannabis seeds, sourced from countries including Switzerland, Uruguay, Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, and the United States, has been distributed to farmers and agricultural cooperatives in the northern provinces of Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, and Taounate. While the specific strains have not been disclosed, the origin of the seeds suggests they are intended for industrial use, with THC levels ranging between 0.3% and 1%
Local media reports indicate that the seeds distributed for the 2023 season will cover 105 hectares of land, involving more than 170 farmers. The Moroccan government has announced plans to expand this initiative significantly, with the number of licensed farmers expected to rise to 500 in the next agricultural season. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to integrate more farmers into the legal cannabis market
One of the key investors in this initiative, who imported seeds from Switzerland, expressed optimism about the project's potential. He noted that the distribution of approximately 760,000 seeds has rejuvenated local farmers and encouraged their participation in this ambitious venture. He emphasized the strategic importance of this project for the agricultural sector, highlighting the careful planning and study that preceded the decision to invest
The process of importing cannabis seeds into Morocco is tightly regulated, requiring special permissions from both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Agriculture. Farmers receiving the seeds must be registered members of state agricultural cooperatives and are required to sign receipts to track the distribution. This regulatory framework ensures that the cultivation remains within legal bounds and supports the government's efforts to establish a controlled and sustainable cannabis industry