Rabat – A recent report by finance website Insider Monkey has ranked among the top 20 countries with the “highest weed consumption.”
Insider Monkey said it compiled data based on different statistics and various sources, including the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.
Identifying Morocco as the top 15th country with the highest weed consumption, the report said that the North African country has an 11.1% prevalence of cannabis use among adults.
“Moroccans have been cultivating cannabis for centuries, earning them a place among the world’s top producers of hashish,” the report said.
The report also cited Morocco’s decision to legalize the medical and industrial use of cannabis in 2021. Morocco adopted the law in 2021, positioning itself among a growing list of African countries that are approving the use of cannabis for medical and therapeutic purposes.
Morocco stressed that its decision is part of the efforts seeking to ensure cannabis use for industrial sectors while cracking down on any illegal practices.
“Last fall, the Moroccan state has issued the first ten permits for the medicinal and industrial of cannabis as well as for export,” the report added.
Crackdown on drug use-trafficking
Morocco’s security services have been scaling up efforts against drug trafficking across the country.
Last year, security efforts led to the recording and processing of 99,513 drug-related cases as well as the arrest of 130,212 individuals – including 305 foreigners for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking cases.
Police seized 81 tonnes and 175 kilograms of cannabis. The seized substance reflects a 17% decrease compared to a year earlier.
Despite the efforts, drug trafficking continues to pose a significant challenge in Morocco.
In 2019, the Moroccan newspaper Al Massae shared alarming statistics on addiction rates in Morocco.
The newspaper quoted panelists who attended an anti-drug addiction conference, saying that over 800,000 Moroccans are addicted to cannabis.
The experts collected the statistics from data between 2003 and 2006, when 800,000 addicted people were identified.
The experts, however, believe that the number of addicted people is “much higher than that.”
A report from the Ministry of Health in 2018 shared similar indicators, saying that the prevalence of drug use among the population aged 15 and older is 4.1%, equivalent to 800,000 individuals.
The report said that 2.8% of the total number are addicted to drugs.
“Drug use and addiction are increasing among the younger population,” the ministry said.
The report said that drug use in northern cities is associated with injection, a challenge that posed risks of the spread of several illnesses, including HIV, and viral hepatitis.
“There are social consequences such as marginalization, discrimination, and isolation, as well as legal implications, including deviance, violence, and criminal activities,” the report added.
The Insider Monkey Report listed 19 other countries, with the highest weed consumption. The list is topped by Israel with a 27% prevalence of cannabis use among adults.
Jamaica comes second, followed by the US, Chile, and Canada.
In Africa, the report placed Nigeria as the 13th country with the highest weed consumption, while Madagascar is positioned 10th, following Zambia (9th).
