Officine Expo marked its 20th anniversary, in Marrakech, with a round table discussion on the “therapeutic effects of cannabis,” which was legalized two years ago under law 13.21.
The said law was meant to legalize the production, exportation and importation of seedlings; in addition to the industrialization and commercialization of Cannabis products for pharmaceutical and medical uses.
This law was an acknowledgment of the value of this herb that has existed for millennia in Morocco. It followed the removal, by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in December 2020, of cannabis from Category IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Substances.
The normalization of Cannabis in the pharmaceutical industry is the result of leading studies that proved the benefits of this herb in treating several diseases, such as in neurology (Anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, anxiolytic, short-term memory problems…), gastrology (antiseptics, appetite problem, slowing of gastric motility), and cardiology (pulse rate, blood pressure). In addition, it can be used as an anti-inflammatory or an immunostimulant.
Mohammed Guerrouj, head of the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC), said at the roundtable that Morocco has made huge strides within a very short time regarding cannabis use legislation, notably concerning the adoption of Law 13.21 and its implementation.
He added that the residents of only 3 provinces have the right to cultivate this grass, namely Taounat, Chefchaouen, and Hoceima (all situated in the North), in compliance with provisions of law 13.21.
ANRAC was created to enforce the said law and implement the state strategy for the development of the cannabis industry for industrial, pharmaceutical, and medicinal purposes, he added.
Professor Mohamed Benamar, Pharmacologist and addictologist in Canada expressed his joy to BarlamanToday, saying that “our government has finally decided to exploit the Moroccan centuries-old know-how in the medical field. The Cannabis potential of Morocco is huge, and we have all the means to develop it.”
He added that around 364 clinical studies, involving 20,000 subjects, have been conducted worldwide proving that cannabis-based medicines are effective to treat more than 37 diseases.
Cannabis industrialization in Morocco is still in its infancy and the set goal is to harness this natural resource as the North African country is importing all the components of drugs manufactured in Morocco.
Dr. Khalid El Attaoui, Executive Vice President and Chief Pharmacist at AXESS Pharma, told BarlamanToday that the challenge is to become a certified international actor in the pharmaceutical industry thanks to this herb.
He underlined that worldwide standards in the field must be met during the industrialization. “Morocco is at the beginning of this process. Authorizations have been issued and contracts have been signed between certified farmers, pharmaceutical laboratories, and production cooperatives. The manufacturing phase will start in the fall.”
Indeed, Morocco has just entered the field and is far from being at the forefront of countries that have legalized cannabis for therapeutical use, such as Australia, New Zealand, Lesotho, Thailand, and some States in the USA like California.
The negative connotation of cannabis decreased significantly over the past years with the discovery of its medical benefits. Morocco is on the path of turning one of the country’s biggest conundrums into a source of healing.
This year, Officine Expo brought together more than 5000 pharmacists and professionals from more than 24 countries.