Morocco has historically been a leading producer of hashish, with approximately 47,000 hectares of land dedicated to cannabis cultivation as of 2019, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. For many years, this crop existed in a grey area of legality, especially in the northern Rif Mountains. However, the passage of Law 13-21 in 2021 is changing the landscape of cannabis cultivation in the country, providing a structured approach to its production and sale.
Law 13-21 officially legalized cannabis for medical, cosmetic, and industrial purposes. This reform aims to regulate the existing black market, protect farmers, and stimulate the national economy through potential exports. By 2024, the National Agency for the Regulation of Activities Related to Cannabis (ANRAC) had issued 2,905 licenses for legal cannabis cultivation, processing, and marketing, predominantly in the provinces of Taounate, Al Hoceima, and Chefchaouen.
This transition legitimizes an industry that has long been a cornerstone of informal rural economies. Farmers now gain legal protections, access to markets, and opportunities for sustainable income. For decades, cannabis was a primary income source for thousands of Moroccan farmers, but without regulation, they faced exploitation by smugglers and middlemen, with volatile prices and the constant threat of arrest or land seizure. With the regulatory framework in place, the Moroccan government is positioning cannabis as a strategic agricultural product.
The Moroccan Ministry of Interior estimates that the legal cannabis sector could generate over $1 billion annually in export revenue as it becomes fully operational. The establishment of the first legal cannabis processing plant in Taounate in late 2023 marks a significant development in the domestic cannabis economy. This facility is expected to create hundreds of jobs, supporting local cooperatives and catering to international buyers.
Legalization has already begun to create job opportunities across various sectors. Farmers are now formally employed through licensed cooperatives, and new roles in logistics, testing, packaging, and compliance have emerged. According to ANRAC, each licensed hectare of cannabis supports around 10 jobs, spanning cultivation and quality control. This influx of legal employment is helping to curb the trend of young people migrating to urban centers or abroad in search of work. With further investment in infrastructure and education, cannabis could serve as a foundation for broader rural development in Morocco’s less developed areas.
In 2024, Morocco exported its first legal cannabis shipment to Switzerland, marking its entry into the international medical cannabis market. This shipment complied with strict EU pharmaceutical standards, demonstrating Morocco’s dedication to maintaining quality. As more countries relax cannabis laws, Morocco is well-positioned to become a key supplier, particularly to Europe, where its climate and geographical advantages are favorable. The demand for organic, high-THC cannabis strains presents new opportunities for Moroccan exporters. Seed companies, such as Herbies Seeds, have acknowledged Morocco’s favorable growing conditions, often highlighting the country’s landrace strains in their offerings for growers.
Despite these advancements, not all farmers have managed to transition into the legal market. Critics point out that the licensing process can be slow and bureaucratic, hindering smaller farmers from obtaining licenses. Concerns about corporate monopolies emerging and displacing traditional growers have also been raised, potentially undermining rural community control over the industry. Furthermore, large-scale cannabis cultivation poses environmental risks, including exacerbating water scarcity in mountainous areas already susceptible to climate change impacts.
The legalization of cannabis represents a significant shift for Morocco, acting as a potential model for rural revitalization through agricultural reform. If the legal framework remains accessible, transparent, and environmentally responsible, Morocco may evolve into a cannabis powerhouse and a case study for sustainable development in post-prohibition economies. Early indicators show a positive trajectory: farmers are moving away from the stigma and insecurity of the black market, investments are increasing, jobs are returning, and Morocco is transitioning from merely a global hashish supplier to a legitimate player in the expanding global cannabis economy.
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