71 years since Kif was banned in Morocco, civil groups push for recreational legalization

Human rights and civil society organizations in Morocco are accelerating efforts to advocate for the legalization of recreational cannabis use, particularly for kif.

The movement, known as “Call for Opening a Public Debate on the Recreational Use of Cannabis,” held a second meeting on Tuesday with the Democratic Forces Front party, following an initial discussion last Saturday.

This meeting, requested by the Rif Association for Human Rights and the Moroccan Observatory for the Legalization of Cannabis, marks a significant step in fostering a national debate on cannabis legalization.

Activists noted the party’s commitment to present this issue to other political groups, with plans for similar meetings with leftist parties, including the Socialist Union of Popular Forces and the Party of Progress and Socialism.

The Moroccan Observatory launched a campaign titled “100 Years of Criminalization Baraka,” aiming to highlight the cultural significance of kif in Moroccan traditions.

During the protectorate period in Morocco (1926–1956), the sale of kif was officially legalized and controlled by tobacco monopoly, ‘Régie des tabacs,’ which  prepared and marketed kif from its facilities in Tangier and Kenitra.

This arrangement continued until 1953, when an initial decree prohibited the sale of kif, followed by a subsequent decree on April 24, 1954, that banned its production and consumption.

Cherif Adardak, head of the Observatory, emphasized that the campaign seeks to align Morocco with global trends toward decriminalization, citing international precedents like Bolivia’s coca practices.

Activists are advocating for regulated spaces for cannabis use, drawing inspiration from models like Spain’s cannabis clubs. Upcoming meetings with various political parties are planned to broaden the dialogue on legalization, which is seen as a concern for all Moroccans.

Chakib El Khayari, president of the Rif Association for Human Rights, reiterated the importance of these discussions in activating recommendations from Morocco’s Economic, Social, and Environmental Council, which call for legalization within legal frameworks, and urged civil society to engage actively in this advocacy initiative to ensure comprehensive dialogue on cannabis reform.