Morocco has a particular relationship with the hashish also called cannabis, plant cultivated for centuries in certain regions of the country. Long confined to a parallel market, this culture has gained considerable magnitude, making the kingdom one of the main world producers of haschich. Today, Morocco is committed to the path of legalization framed by Therapeutic cannabis, opening up new economic perspectives.
Essential points:
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History and production: Culture of cannabis dates back to the 12th century. Under the French protectorate, production experienced an economic boom. After independence, culture was prohibited but continued informally.
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Current situation: RIF is the main producer region. Annual production is estimated at 700 tonnes, generating a turnover of $ 1 billion.
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Legal framework: Morocco legalized cannabis for medical and industrial use in 2019. The National Cannabis Regulatory Agency (ANRAC) is responsible for issuing licenses and monitoring the sector.
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Opportunities: Legal cannabis offers outlets in the medical, cosmetics and food fields.
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Challenges: The fight against illegal traffic, the reconversion of traditional cultivators and the development of a competitive sector are major challenges.
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Moroccan haschich varieties: Morocco is known for its Haschisch Ketama, its Pollen hashish (Beldia) and its blond haschisch.
History of cannabis culture in Morocco
The cultivation of cannabis, locally called "kif" or "zatla", dates back to a special tradition in Morocco. Present since the 12th century under the Almohads, tradition continued through the ages, especially in the Rif, mountainous region.
Boom under the French protectorate
It was under the French protectorate (1912-1956) that cannabis cultivation has really taken its economic boom. The colonial authorities have tolerated or even encouraged this production intended for export, seeing there a significant source of income.
Prohibition after independence
From its independence in 1956, Morocco officially prohibited the cultivation of cannabis throughout its territory. Despite this prohibition, production continued and developed informally, taking massive proportions from the 1970s.
Current KIF situation in Morocco
The main kif producing regions in Morocco:
The Rif mountainous region
The RIF, and more particularly the province of Chefchaouen, remains the main Haschisch production region in Morocco. This culture is estimated that this culture brings to life between 90,000 and 140,000 people in the north of the country. Culture is concentrated in areas allowing good irrigation.
Other regions of Morocco
Other regions such as Fez-Meknès, with the province of Taounate, are also involved in the production of superior quality hashish. According to the Regional Investment Center (CRI), Taounate contributes 10% of national production.
Volumes and production value
Resin production in Morocco represents 35% of the world haschich, or around 700 tonnes per year. This generates a turnover of 10 billion dirhams, or about $ 1 billion, according to the United Nations Office UNUDC.
Socio-economic importance
Despite its illegal character, the culture of cannabis known as Kif or Zatla is of major socio-economic importance in the producing regions. It is the main source of income for many rural households in northern Morocco and fuels a whole parallel economy.
Legal framework and recent reforms of Moroccan cannabis
Morocco has experienced a notable evolution of its legal framework concerning cannabis in recent years. Before, the culture and sale of cannabis were prohibited in France. But recent reforms have made it possible to legalize cannabis for medical and industrial use.
Recent reforms:
- 2019: Morocco has legalized the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial use in specific areas under strict license.
- 2020: Morocco has adopted a new regulation for the production and processing of cannabis for medical and industrial use.
- 2021: Morocco has authorized the sale of cannabis derivatives for medical use in pharmacies.
National Regulation Agency
Anrac is important to apply law 13-21 on cannabis in Morocco.
Anrac missions:
- Anrac issues licenses for cannabis -related activities, such as cultivation, production, processing, sale and export.
- Control sector: Anrac ensures that the law and regulations are respected throughout the value chain of legal cannabis. This means implementing strict measures to ensure the quality, traceability and safety of cannabis products.
- Anrac supervises the legal cannabis industry in Morocco. It establishes standards and requirements for operators. It encourages good practices. It supports research and development.
Economic opportunities for the Moroccan hash
The hashish industry in Morocco offers potential economic opportunities. It is essential to examine them carefully and take into account the challenges and risks linked to this sector.
Medical cannabis and well-being
The global medical cannabis market, estimated at $ 28 billion in 2021, represents significant development potential for Morocco. Many projects of transformation units are underway, such as that of the company Somacan in Fez.
Cosmetics and food
Morocco has an advantage in the cultivation of cannabis thanks to its local variety, the Rif. This variety is known for its high cannabinoid content, its medicinal and aromatic properties.
The country legalized medical and industrial cannabis in 2019. It slowly explores opportunities in the cosmetic and food sectors offered by this plant.
Beyond the medical, cannabis offers promising outlets in the "green" cosmetics sectors and food supplements. THE Cry of Fez-Meknès Building on these niches to enhance local production.
Stakes of CBD culture and Moroccan Canabise
KIF, name given to cannabis in Morocco, occupies an important place in the country and the economy of the country. Haschich production in Morocco arouses intense debates on its production, consumption and trade. These debates raise complex questions and challenges that require an objective and nuanced analysis.
Fight against kif (drugs)
One of the major challenges remains the fight against illegal cannabis trafficking networks, very established in particular in the Rif. The Moroccan authorities regularly carry out the eradication of KIF cultures (high THC rate), especially in the mountainous regions of the north of the country.
Conversion of traditional cultures
The transition to a legal and supervised production involves accompanying traditional cultivators in a retraining process. A delicate economic, social and cultural level.
Development of a competitive sector
To take full advantage of the opportunities offered by legalization, Morocco must set up a competitive cannabis sector, in line with international standards in terms of quality, traceability and production standards.
Moroccan haschich varieties
Moroccan hashish is one of the most popular and appreciated new varieties of hashish. Here is some key information on the different types of Moroccan cannabis resin:
Haschisch Ketama from Morocco
THE Haschisch Ketama is important for the Rif region in Morocco. It is the most common Moroccan hashish.
It is made by extracting the resin from dry cannabis branches. Then, the resin is heated, then undergoes dry sieving and a pressing of compact bricks to obtain the final product. Its color varies from dark green to brown depending on the maturity of cannabis plants and cannabis varieties. The form of brick hashish has a hard and brittle texture, similar to chocolate.
Haschisch de Pollen (Beldia)
Also called "Beldia", it has a more soft and pasty texture, like almond paste. Cultivated cannabis is produced in a similar way to brick hashish, but with less applied pressure.
Blond Moroccan hashish
The hashish cultivated in Morocco as the blond is a very popular and renowned variety of Moroccan hashish. Here is some key information on this variety:
Moroccan blond hashish is distinguished by its distinctive golden color
- It is produced in the Ketama region of the province of Chefchaouen in Morocco, known for its traditional production techniques
- Its blonde color (yellow) is obtained using only the most ripe and resinous cannabis flowers of cannabis plants
- The extraction and pressing process is carried out with great care to preserve intact trichomes and concentrate the aromas.
Moroccan blond haschisch is renowned for its soft, relaxing and soothing effects
- It has a rich and delicate aromatic profile, with wooded, spicy notes and a slight fruity touch
- Its texture is generally softer and malleable than the Moroccan Haschisch in classic bricks
- It has a pasty and sticky consistency that makes it easy to work.
Moroccan blond haschisch is considered a superior quality and highly sought after by connoisseurs. Its limited production and traditional process make it a rare and popular product on the markets.
Order haschich online
On cbdtech.fr, we find for example the "Moroccan chopped resin with high density herbs (HDH)
It is a CBD resin recreating the experience of the Moroccan hashish, with a creamy texture and spicy and typical aromas typical
The site also offers a "Ketama CBD resin 25% CBD", recreating the famous blonde variety of Ketama thanks to a high concentration in CBD
The Moroccan hashish at Tetrahydrocannabinol Thc is illegal. Amateurs can legally buy CBD alternatives that imitate the qualities of traditional Moroccan hashish.
Conclusion
Morocco is resolutely committed to the path of controlled legalization of cannabis, opening up new economic perspectives for this traditional culture. Despite the upcoming challenges, the King of Morocco will use his hashish experience to create a legal, sustainable sector rich in opportunities.
Faq
Q1: Can cannabis remain illegal in Morocco for recreational use?
A: Yes, the law of 2021 only authorizes the lawful uses of cannabis for medical, pharmaceutical and industrial purposes. Recreational consumption remains prohibited and liable to sanctions.
Q2: What are the main cannabis producing regions in Morocco?
A: RIF is the main cannabis producer region. The province of Chefchaouen is in the lead, followed by Fès-Meknès. Taounate contributes to 10% of the national volume.
Q3: does Morocco intend to develop cannabis export?
A: For the time being, no export project has been officially announced. Priority seems to be to meet domestic demand, especially for medical cannabis.
Q4: What is the role of Anrac?
A: Anrac regulates and monitors the legal production of cannabis in Morocco, by delivering authorizations and by supervising the entire supply chain.
Q5: What are the main outlets for legal cannabis in Morocco?
A: The main identified outlets are medical cannabis, "green" cosmetics and CBD -based food supplements.
