Morocco has developed its first medicine derived from cannabis, a breakthrough that marks a new chapter for the country’s pharmaceutical industry. The drug, intended for epilepsy treatment, will soon hit the market, according to the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities.
Pharma 5, a leading Moroccan pharmaceutical company, will manufacture the medicine, making it the first cannabis-based treatment in the country to meet the Ministry of Health’s requirements for drug registration.
Four additional companies are reportedly in advanced stages of producing cannabis-derived medicines, but the name and price of the new drug remain undisclosed.
The production of cannabis-based medicines in Morocco is governed by Law 13.21, which regulates the legal use of cannabis, and Law 17.04, Morocco’s Drug and Pharmacy Code. These laws stipulate that cannabis medicines must contain at least 1% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component.
Medical cannabis accounts for about 60% of the global legal cannabis market. With a well-developed infrastructure, Morocco is positioned to capitalize on this demand, particularly following the 2022 establishment of THC thresholds under legal guidelines.
The Ministry of Health has outlined two pathways for the registration of cannabis-derived medicines. The standard process requires detailed administrative, clinical, and chemical data, while a simplified procedure waives non-clinical and clinical reporting requirements, provided the active ingredient’s safety and therapeutic benefits are demonstrated.
Morocco’s move into cannabis-based pharmaceuticals signals a significant opportunity for the country to enter the global medical cannabis market while leveraging its expertise in cannabis cultivation and processing.
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