Advancing Cannabis Law in Morocco

Morocco’s Law 13-21 marked a historic turning point, legalizing cannabis cultivation for medical, pharmaceutical, and industrial purposes. But while the law provides a strong foundation, real-world implementation has revealed critical gaps—particularly for smallholder farmers and legacy cultivators expected to meet strict global standards without adequate support.

At the Moroccan Cannabis Alliance (MCA), we believe the law must evolve to fulfill its promise. Our advocacy focuses on improving Law 13-21 to reflect both the realities on the ground and the expectations of international markets. This includes protecting GACP-certified farmer cooperatives, expanding access to licenses, and ensuring a regulatory framework that enables—not hinders—compliance, quality, and economic participation.

Today, licensed farmers face an uphill battle. Many lack the tools, infrastructure, and resources needed to produce cannabis that meets EU-GMP or GACP standards. Without financial support, educational programs, and digital traceability systems, Morocco risks excluding the very people who carried the industry for decades.

Our proposals include:

• Reforming licensing criteria to make legal participation more accessible for legacy farmers, cooperatives, and rural communities.
• Providing financial support through grants, incentives, and subsidies to help farmers invest in infrastructure and meet compliance standards.
• Establishing transparent and fair pricing systems to protect producers from market exploitation and ensure long-term viability.
• Investing in public research, education, and capacity-building programs to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to operate in a regulated, global-facing market.
• Developing national traceability and compliance tools that are scalable, accessible, and aligned with international standards like GACP and GMP.
• Promoting local processing and export infrastructure to add value, create jobs, and keep economic benefits within Morocco.

Legal cannabis is a global industry, and Morocco has everything it takes to lead—but only if we build an inclusive, ethical, and sustainable framework. Updating Law 13-21 is not a rejection of progress—it’s a necessary step forward.

The Moroccan Cannabis Alliance will continue working with policymakers, institutions, and communities to ensure Morocco’s cannabis law evolves in line with public interest, social equity, and global opportunity.