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Rabat – In a landmark event for Morocco’s burgeoning cannabis industry, Mohamed El Guerrouj, Director General of the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities (ANRAC), inaugurated the country’s first legal cannabis processing plant in Taounate yesterday.
The inauguration ceremony, graced by Taounate Province Governor Saleh Daha, symbolizes the dawn of a new chapter for Morocco’s cannabis industry under a formal legal framework.
This milestone is set to bring major transformations, including job creation and the development of a high-value sector designed to enhance the local economy.
New cannabis plant boosts local economy amid regulatory changes
In remarks to MAP during the inauguration, El Guerrouj emphasized that the plant’s operational launch creates new economic opportunities for the local community.
“Thanks to the government’s and ANRAC’s collaborative efforts, we have set the stage for a successful debut of this new industry,” he said.
El Guerrouj also highlighted the importance of supporting both investors and farmers, noting that “this initiative will enable more local stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this emerging legal sector.”
Meanwhile, he said that ANRAC has instituted a stringent monitoring program to ensure adherence to standards and regulations.
“This program, designed to foster a responsible and high-quality industry, will be continually evaluated to maintain its effectiveness and adapt to industry changes,” he added.
At the event, Mustapha El Missouri, an investor from Taounate, shared his enthusiasm for the new industry’s potential.
In an interview with MAP, El Missouri disclosed that the cannabis processing plant represents a substantial investment of MAD 20 million ($2 million) and reflects a long-term vision for the region.
“Covering over 3,000 square meters, this facility includes cutting-edge nurseries and extraction units,” El Missouri explained.
He also pointed out the positive impact on local employment, noting that the project has created 25 permanent jobs and more than 300 seasonal positions throughout the year. This, he said, provides a major boost to both the local workforce and Taounate’s economy.
El Missouri further recounted the arduous, but successful, path to the plant’s inauguration.
“Since cannabis was legalized, we have worked diligently to secure all necessary permits. Our operations commenced in 2023, thanks to a collaborative effort involving ANRAC, local authorities, the Directorate of Medicines and Pharmacy, ONSSA, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,” he detailed.
In August, King Mohammed VI granted royal pardons to 4,831 individuals involved in cannabis-related cases – many from the Rif region – as part of Morocco’s forward-looking strategy for its cannabis industry.
Since the start of 2024, ANRAC has issued 3,029 licenses under this new legislation, a significant increase from the 721 licenses issued in 2023. Of the new licenses, 2,837 are for cannabis cultivation and production, supporting 2,659 farmers — a notable rise from the 430 licenses granted for these activities last year.
Conversely, 192 licenses were issued to 98 operators for activities including processing, commercialization, and exportation, reflecting a decrease from the 291 licenses granted to 138 operators in 2023.
