Morocco’s legal cannabis industry is flourishing, but a new debate is brewing as investors and advocates are calling for the expansion of cannabis products beyond just medical and industrial uses, with sights set on the potentially lucrative “recreational market.”
This push comes amidst recent visits by the National Agency for the Regulation of Activities Related to Cannabis to agricultural areas in the Taounate region.
Chakib El Khiari, coordinator of the Moroccan Coalition for the Medical and Industrial Use of Cannabis, told Hespress Ar that the current legalization for medical and industrial purposes has limitations.
“While it reduces the number of farmers involved in the illegal drug trade,” El Khiari said, “it doesn’t eliminate the existing consumer base for cannabis and its derivatives.”
The coordinator pointed to a growing international trend – the legalization of recreational cannabis to regulate the market and eliminate the dangers associated with the black market.
This call for diversification isn’t entirely new. In June 2023, El Khiari’s coalition, along with residents from regions traditionally known for cannabis cultivation, launched a public appeal for a debate on recreational use.
This aligns with recommendations submitted to the King by the Development Model Committee and the Economic, Social and Environmental Council. Both reports highlight the potential health benefits of reduced risk through regulation, alongside the economic advantages of a legal recreational market.
The current parliamentary session could see further progress on this front. El Khiari suggests that engaging with parliamentary groups and parties through study days and seminars could be a productive step.
“We want to highlight the potential effects of legalizing the recreational use of cannabis based on sound scientific studies, especially what has been achieved in reducing demand on the black market according to comparative experiences,” El Khiari explained.
The coordinator further added that there is no great certainty about the positive and negative health effects of regulating the recreational consumption of cannabis.
The debate over the recreational use of cannabis is likely to gain further traction in the coming months, as Morocco’s legal cannabis industry continues to mature.
With a growing number of countries legalizing cannabis for recreational purposes, Morocco is well-positioned to become a leader in this emerging market.
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