Navigating Cannabis Regulation in Morocco: Historical Context, Socio-Economic Impact, and Policy Gaps

Résumé :

In Morocco, the 2021 legalization of medical and industrial cannabis represents a significant policy shift in a long history of cannabis cultivation, prohibition, and partial legitimization. The law, however, fails to address cannabis consumers, focusing instead on socio-economic benefits for producers and industrial actors. This omission is particularly striking given the longstanding cultural, medicinal, and social role of cannabis in Moroccan society. Through a critical examination of the recent legal framework (Law 13-21), this policy commentary explores the socio-economic implications of cannabis legalization for different stakeholders-local consumers, producers, and exporters-while also highlighting the law's failure to consider the rights and needs of consumers. The absence of consumer inclusion in this process raises important social justice concerns, as it disregards a segment of the population that has historically been integral to the cannabis culture. This commentary further discusses the tension between economic liberalization in the cannabis sector and the restrictive, conservative elements of the law that limit access to cannabis for nonmedical use. Ultimately, it argues for a more inclusive cannabis policy that recognizes the cultural and health-related needs of Moroccan consumers while ensuring that the economic benefits are equitably distributed across all affected groups.