UNODC Report: Morocco Remains Largest Producer of Cannabis Resin

Rabat – The latest report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) listed Morocco as the world’s leading country in the origin and departure of cannabis resin.

The World Drug Report 2022 noted that Morocco was mentioned 100 times as a country of origin and departure of cannabis resin by nations that had seized the drug between 2016 and 2020. Afghanistan, a major player in the cannabis resin market, was reportedly the second-largest producer of the drug, ahead of Pakistan and Lebanon.

The Moroccan cannabis resin, which grows illegally primarily in the Rif region, is directed toward the European market.

Data concerning the seizure of cannabis resin, quoted by the report, suggest that most of the drug’s shipments are from Morocco to Spain and from Afghanistan to other countries in West Asia.

Moroccan drug trafficking routes extend to Libya and Egypt through the Sahel. Other popular routes run through Spanish border by sea or the Morocco-Algeria borders by land entering Tunisia and then Libya.

The data further indicate that 60% of cannabis resin seizures are concentrated in North Africa and Western Europe, where trafficking and consumption of the drug remains high.

In 2020, Spain recorded the largest cannabis resin seizures, estimated at less than 500 tonnes, ahead of Morocco with roughly 450 tonnes. Afghanistan was listed as third, followed by Pakistan, Iran, and Algeria.

Reports by the Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Mali noted that the large cannabis resin shipments from Morocco to Libya has caused deadly clashes between groups in the Sahel that could have potentially caused ceasefire violations.

As for cannabis herbs, UNODC reported that Morocco seized the second-largest quantity of herbs in Africa in 2020, estimated at more than 250 tonnes, following Egypt’s roughly 500 tonnes. India topped the global seizure of cannabis herbs at almost 600 tonnes in 2020, ahead of the United States, Brazil, Columbia, Egypt, and Paraguay. Morocco placed 7th globally based on the 2020 data.

While North Africa, particularly Morocco, is a leading producer of cannabis, the region and even the continent as a whole contribute little to the cocaine market.

However, Morocco is still considered a transit point for cocaine shipments to Europe, despite efforts made by local authorities to halt such operations.

Belgium, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France appear to be key destinations for cocaine shipments coming from Peru, Bolivia, and Columbia, according to cocaine seizure data issued by African countries, such as Morocco and Benin.

The World Drug Report findings raise concerns about the socio-economic impact of illegal drug trafficking operations on local communities worldwide.

“Numbers for the manufacturing and seizures of many illicit drugs are hitting record highs, even as global emergencies are deepening vulnerabilities,” said Ghada Waly UNODC Executive Director.

She continued, “At the same time, misperceptions regarding the magnitude of the problem and the associated harms are depriving people of care and treatment and driving young people towards harmful behaviors.”

Waly further urged governments to allocate necessary resources to address the impact of drug trafficking on armed conflicts and environmental degradation.

Referencing the case of Morocco, the report warned of the dangerous impact of “intensive” illegal cannabis farming in the Rif region, which places increasing pressure on the “fragile ecological system.”

UNODC notably stated that the region’s heavy use of synthetic fertilizers and irrigation systems causes water stress and water pollution.

However, Morocco’s recent efforts to legalize cannabis for therapeutic, cosmetic, or industrial use can help address these concerns through adopting standard, eco-friendly methods of cultivation.

Nevertheless, the proposed legalization has received mixed reactions, with some Moroccans welcoming the move and its “positive impact” on society and economy, whereas others expressed concerns over the negative impact of cannabis cultivation on the environment and the health of consumers.