The cooperative “Bio cannat” in Morocco announced on Monday the launch of the first laboratory for processing Indian cannabis and extracting materials for the food and medical industry.

The cooperative said in a statement on Facebook that this production unit, located in the area of Bab Berred, in the region of Chefchaouen, is the first unit at the national level under construction for the exploitation of Indian cannabis for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

“In partnership with its members, public and private partners, the cooperative has realized the first production unit for the processing of Indian cannabis and the extraction of substances, cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN) and other substances,” the cooperative notes.

According to the same source, “these substances are used in many food, industrial, medical and semi-medical industries due to their numerous benefits, scientifically proven to relieve pain and help in the treatment of many pathological conditions.

The cooperative obtained the first licence for the conversion of Indian hemp at the national level last October, adding that “there will be agricultural experiments with some farmers in the Chefchaouen region, in order to provide the raw material after having provided the seeds for this purpose,” according to the same source.

Read Also: Morocco moving fast toward legalizing cannabis as world consumption becomes more normalized

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Since the procedure began in October 2022, the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC) has granted 230 recipients authorizations by issuing production licenses to 100 cannabis producers.

ANRAC started issuing authorizations for various cannabis-related operations a few months ago.

A production permit, which is necessary to specify the subsequent activities or even the industry to which the crop will be directed and the route of its product, has not been obtained by any farmer.

According to MT sources, 18 members of three processing cooperatives requested for permission to import seeds among the 100 farmers who received production permits.

The same source claims that a specific procedure will be used to provide farmers authorizations without having to wait for the commission that is in charge of doing so to meet.

If the farmer explains who he will present his product to, the end result, and that he has a “clear perception” of his means of use, the authorization would then be promptly granted.

This information was released two months ahead of when the 2023 growing season will formally begin. Accordingly, our source revealed that 230 authorizations had been granted by ANRAC in total, including 100 licenses for farmers, 59 for industry participants, 30 for businesses, 4 for cooperatives, and 30 for auto-entrepreneurs.

“The clear long-term benefit for the kingdom’s trade accords,” according to economist Mourad Amezrar.

According to Amezrar, Morocco’s enormous potential for this product is just now starting to be realized because to the regulatory framework that connects the health sector to the plant’s much bigger agricultural sector.

The expert emphasizes that a larger pharmaceutical industry can be thought of as having a multibillion dollar cannabis industry as one of its components. Which means that opening up to its international routes is the most secure way to take advantage of the nation’s enormous wealth while also containing its risks to society and public safety.

Since the vast majority of the cannabis market is still illegal, it is impossible to determine the exact value of global cannabis sales. Cannabis companies are attracting more investments than alcohol and drug companies as a result of the movement toward legalizing cannabis.

The authorizations, according to Amezrar, will result in “a significant increase in revenue from production for the farmers, and this is coming from a chain of production that will profit financially from its market access.”

The law allows for the granting of licenses for nine different activities, the first of which is production and agriculture, which is relevant to farmers.

Read Also: HM the King Holds Talks with President Ondimba, Donates Fertilizers to Gabonese Farmers

The other activities, such as those involved in the conversion, transportation, marketing, export, and import of cannabis products, are left to businesses. The second activity relates to the production and exploitation of seedlings, or the import of seeds and seedlings, or the export of seeds and seedlings.

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The Moroccan Consultative Association for Cannabis Use (AMCUC) inked many agreements with diverse partners on Friday, October 22 in order to advance scientific research in the field of cannabis as well as to help all stakeholders in the cannabis circuit.

Four agreements were made between the Moroccan consultative Association for the Use of Cannabis (AMCUC) and other partners on Friday, October 22 during an international conference on hemp and cannabis organized by the Moroccan consultative Association for the Use of Cannabis (AMCUC).

Abdel Malek Saadi University, represented by its president, Bouchta El Moumni, acknowledges its commitment in scientific study on cannabis and its desire to develop it by signing an agreement with AMCUC.

The deal struck with AMCUC, according to Abdelkhalek Farhat, president of the National Association of medicinal and aromatic plants, aims to “offer training for professional groups, in particular cooperatives and farmers, through the agency’s technical and scientific platform.”

For its part, the Mascir Foundation inked an agreement with the AMCUC in order to join forces with this organization that brings together the various scenarios that this new sector has to offer.

The foundation claims it is prepared to act at any level and with any stakeholder, whether farmers or industrialists, using a variety of methods, including artificial intelligence, thanks to its 15 years of experience and equipment.

From cultivation to production, the goal is to support and facilitate the process. Mascir accomplishes this through opening the door to dialogue and potential collaborations.

AMCUC and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Tangier Tetouan Hoceima regions inked a final agreement. Its goal is to highlight the most profitable sectors in this new industry, using the Chamber of Commerce’s knowledge and network, in order to steer the Chamber of Commerce’s support for enterprises.

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The National Agency for the Legalization of Activities Related to Cannabis has been added to the list of critical public institutions whose appointments to the Ministerial Council are being discussed during the ministerial meeting headed by King Mohammed VI; today Sunday.

A ministerial council was devoted to considering the basic directions of the draft financial law for the year 2022, approving a draft organizational law, and a number of foreign agreements, in addition to nominations to key positions, in a statement to the royal palace.

The meeting included: Always in accordance with the communication; Approval of a model organic legislation to amend and supplement the organic law relating to senior position appointments.

This project aims to:

• Adding the following institutions to the list of important public institutions whose representatives are being considered for appointment to the Ministerial Council:

National Agency for the Legalization of Cannabis-related Activities;

The National Agency for the Strategic Management of State Contributions, which oversees the effectiveness of government agencies and businesses;

National Agency for Water and Forests.

• “Energy Investments Company” will be renamed “Energy Engineering Company.”

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A study conducted by the Ministry of the Interior revealed that “the number of people practicing illegal cultivation of cannabis is estimated at 400,000 people, while “about 60 thousand Moroccan families benefit from the illicit cultivation of cannabis.”

The study adds that “The annual agricultural incomes from the cultivation of cannabis have declined, from 500 million euros in 2000 to 325 million now.”

Moreover, “The traditional Moroccan farmer is exploited by smuggling networks, as he takes only 3 percent of the final turnover, compared to 12 percent that he makes in the legitimate market.”

The study added, “The areas planted with cannabis have decreased from about 130 thousand hectares at the beginning of the year 2000 to less than 50 thousand hectares in recent years”, explaining that it is expected that “the share of Moroccan exports of cannabis for legal use in the European market will be between 10 and 15 percent by 2028, representing annual agricultural revenues ranging between 420 million and 630 million dollars.”

The government referred a bill to parliament to legalize the use of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes in the country, and the Interior Committee began discussing it last week.

On March 11th, the government announced that it had “approved a bill to legalize the use and cultivation of cannabis for legitimate medical and industrial purposes.”

The ratification was postponed for two weeks due to controversy sparked by the bill in political and popular circles and on social media.

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After two weeks of delay, the Council of Government approved today, Thursday, a bill related to the legal uses of cannabis in Morocco.

It should be recalled that the draft law aims to establish a legal framework that allows the development of the use of cannabis in medical, cosmetic and industrial fields, in line with Morocco’s international obligations.

It also aims to help exploit the opportunities provided by the cannabis market and attract international actors in this field.

Moreover, the law seeks to establish an effective monitoring system with the aim of preventing any change in the course of cannabis and its derivatives towards the illicit market, and the transformation of illegal and environmentally harmful crops into legitimate, sustainable, income-generating and employment-saving activities.

On a different note, the Ministry of the Interior stated that national studies concluded that Morocco “can exploit the opportunities offered by the global market for legitimate cannabis, given its human and environmental qualifications, in addition to the logistical capabilities and strategic location of the Kingdom close to Europe, which is the most popular for cannabis products.”

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Morocco voted “Yes” in a historical vote that resulted in removing Cannabis for medicinal purposes from the UN’s Schedule IV category of the world’s most dangerous drugs that have limited or no therapeutic use. Cannabis, or better known as Marijuana, has been in that category since 1961.

Today’s vote is a vital one that will allow for an expansion in Marijuana research and how it can further be used medicinally.

Morocco was the only CND (Commission on Narcotic Drugs) member from the MENA region and one of only two African countries (South Africa) that voted in favor of medicinal Cannabis. Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and Bahrain voted against the removal of medicinal Cannabis from the Schedule IV category. The vote ended with a 27-25 majority, with one absent CND member state.

Out of the world’s top 5 Cannabis producers (US, Morocco, Afghanistan, Mexico, Colombia), only one nation (Afghanistan) voted against the removal of the drug from the Schedule IV category.

Before today’s vote, Cannabis and its derivatives were previously listed in the same category as some more dangerous and highly addictive drugs such as opioids and heroin.

Although the vote looks like a win for Cannabis advocates all over the globe, experts say that today’s is nothing but symbolic, as countries will still impose regulations and restrictions on how Cannabis is used and commercialized.

Cannabis has seen many victories in the previous years, as it has been legalized for medicinal and recreational use in several US states and the entirety of Canada, as well as some other parts of the world.

It is important to note that Morocco is one of the world’s biggest producers of Cannabis and is currently responsible for producing 70% of the EU’s Cannabis supply. The vote will benefit Morocco in the long run as the country could start taxing and regulating one of its most famous products.

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