What's happened
Morocco has expanded legal cannabis cultivation, integrating veteran farmers into the formal economy. Since 2022, regulations have been implemented, allowing farmers like Makhlouf to sell legally. The move aims to reduce illegal activity, support local communities, and boost the economy, with products expected on the market by spring 2026.
What's behind the headline?
Morocco's legalization marks a significant shift in its approach to cannabis, transitioning from a largely clandestine industry to a regulated one. This policy aims to reduce violence and illegal activity associated with black market cultivation, while providing economic stability for farmers. However, the government maintains a dual role—enforcing regulations while supporting industry success—highlighting ongoing tensions. The move could serve as a model for other countries, but success depends on effective regulation and community engagement. The region's anti-government sentiment and history of crackdowns suggest that social acceptance and enforcement will be critical to long-term stability. The legalization is likely to increase legal exports and reduce the influence of illegal traffickers, but challenges remain in balancing regulation with traditional practices.
What the papers say
Arab News reports that Morocco's government has begun integrating veteran cannabis farmers into the formal economy, emphasizing the importance of regulation and community support. The Independent echoes this, highlighting the shift from illegal to legal cultivation and the pardoning of thousands of farmers. Both sources note the ongoing tension between enforcement and support roles within the government. AP News confirms Morocco's status as the world's top cannabis producer and the historic move in 2021 to legalize certain cultivation forms, framing it as a major policy milestone. The articles collectively portray a country at a crossroads, balancing economic development with social and legal challenges, and suggest that the success of this initiative will depend on effective regulation and community buy-in.
How we got here
Morocco, the world's largest cannabis producer, has historically relied on a vast black market for cannabis, which supported hundreds of thousands in the Rif Mountains. In 2021, it became the first Muslim-majority country to legalize certain cultivation forms, aiming to lift small farmers out of poverty and regulate the industry. The government pardoned thousands of farmers in 2024 to facilitate their integration into the legal sector, which is now tightly regulated from seed to sale.
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Mohammed VI is King of Morocco. He belongs to the Alaouite dynasty and ascended to the throne on 23 July 1999 upon the death of his father, King Hassan II.
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