Morocco’s New Golden Era for Cannabis: Sustainable Growth and Rising Revenues Amid Historic Legal Reforms

ALDAR / Iman Alaoui

Morocco’s legal cannabis sector is witnessing remarkable and sustained growth, solidifying its transformation into a vital economic pillar within the national agricultural landscape. According to official data from the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC), licensed cannabis farms now yield around 20 quintals per hectare, generating an average income of 120,000 dirhams per hectare — a figure that highlights the significant opportunities this industry offers within a clearly defined regulatory framework.

The legal cannabis trade in Morocco revolves primarily around the local variety known as Beldiya, which dominates the market and accounts for nearly 250 million dirhams in annual sales, cultivated across more than 2,000 hectares of approved farmland. This expansion of regulated cultivation reflects the state’s commitment to harnessing these crops within legal frameworks that contribute to economic development and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Conversely, figures show a sharp decline in unlicensed cannabis cultivation areas, dropping from 130,000 hectares in 2003 to less than 27,000 hectares in 2023. This significant reduction is largely attributed to a multi-faceted strategy, most notably the royal pardon issued by King Mohammed VI in 2024, which benefited 4,831 farmers engaged in illicit cultivation. Far from being solely a humanitarian gesture, the pardon served as a formal invitation for these farmers to transition into the legal system and register under the new regulatory regime, thereby enhancing state oversight of this strategic sector.

Analysis from multiple sources suggests that Morocco is moving toward transforming what was long considered a marginal activity into a regulated agricultural sector capable of generating jobs and ensuring sustainable economic growth, while maintaining tight control over security and social aspects. Legislative and regulatory measures accompanying this shift are proving essential, providing a clear legal framework that safeguards the rights and obligations of both farmers and investors.

In light of these developments, Morocco can be said to be entering a truly new era of care and growth in cannabis cultivation — one built on political pragmatism and a clear economic vision. This approach may well position the Kingdom as a pioneering model in the region for harnessing the potential of this promising sector, far removed from disorder and illicit activity.