Morocco’s legal cannabis production rose to 4,082.4 tons, with an average yield of 20 quintals per hectare in 2024, with 3,371 licenses issued by the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities (ANRAC), a significant increase compared to just 430 licenses issued in the previous year.
In a presentation on Thursday during its board meeting in Rabat, the agency provided an update on the technical and financial progress made in 2024, as well as the work program for the 2025 season.
According to the agency, the national cannabis production in 2024 was divided between 2,786.7 tons of “local” variety with an average yield of 17 quintals per hectare, and 1,295.7 tons of imported varieties with an average yield of 28 quintals per hectare.
The agency confirmed that, this year, it approved the import of 7.6 million cannabis seeds, based on 30 import licenses granted by the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) to 21 importers.
Additionally, the agency granted a license for the use of 1,717 quintals of “local” cannabis seeds, based on 112 licenses issued by ONSSA to 112 cooperatives.
In 2024, ANRAC reported the cultivation of 2,169 hectares of legal cannabis by 2,647 farmers grouped in 189 cooperatives. Of this, 1,701 hectares were planted with the local “Boujdour” variety by 1,767 farmers in 109 cooperatives, while 468 hectares were cultivated with imported varieties by 880 farmers in 80 cooperatives.
The agency processed 4,158 license applications, granting 3,371 licenses. These included 3,056 licenses for 2,907 farmers for cannabis cultivation and production, compared to 430 licenses issued in 2023.
Furthermore, the agency issued 315 licenses to 158 operators. These included 77 licenses for processing activities, 83 for marketing, 67 for export, 35 for seed importation, 50 for transportation, one for seed export, and two for the establishment and operation of nurseries.
The 158 licensed operators in the cannabis sector include 35 cooperatives, 87 companies, and 36 individuals.
Regarding monitoring and oversight activities in 2024, the agency highlighted that all cannabis-related activities carried out by farmers and operators were in full compliance with regulatory requirements.
The key actions taken in 2024 aimed at supporting farmers’ strong participation included implementing regulatory procedures for the use of local “Boujdour” seeds, mobilizing funding options for small farmers, and organizing market exploration missions to promote Moroccan legal cannabis products internationally.
Looking ahead to the 2025 work plan, ANRAC has committed to intensifying its efforts to strengthen the activities carried out so far and advance the necessary initiatives. These will help structure the development of the cannabis sector within a legal framework that ensures farmers can engage in secure, productive activities and that operators have favorable conditions to access international markets, contributing to the socio-economic development of the regions involved in the regulation process.
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