Mohamed El Guerrouj, Director General of the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC), inaugurated the first legal cannabis processing factory in Morocco’s Taounate province, located in the north, on Tuesday, Morocco’s News Agency (MAP) reported.
The 3,000-square-meter facility features state-of-the-art nurseries and extraction units, marking a pivotal moment for Morocco’s cannabis industry.
The inauguration follows the implementation of Law 13-21, which governs the legal use of cannabis.
The new facility, amounting to 20 million MAD, will create 25 permanent positions and over 300 seasonal positions, thereby positively impacting the local economy and farmers as well as contributing to the growth of the regulated cannabis industry, MAP stated.
“Thanks to the combined efforts of the government and ANRAC, all requirements have been met for the successful launch of this new industry,” El Guerrouj told the media.
He also stated that the agency has implemented a comprehensive control program to ensure compliance with the relevant regulations and standards.
“The program is designed to foster a responsible and high-quality industry, with regular evaluations to ensure its effectiveness and adaptability to sectoral developments,” the head of ANRAC added.
Mustapha El Missouri, an investor from Taounate, who was present at the ceremony, spoke optimistically about the potential of the new industry.
“The project represents a real opportunity for local labor and a boost for Taounate’s economy,” he said.
The investor highlighted the challenging but rewarding journey that preceded the inauguration, noting that securing the necessary permits was a significant undertaking.
He also acknowledged the collective effort of various stakeholders, including ANRAC, local authorities, the Directorate of Medicines and Pharmacy, Morocco’s food safety watchdog (ONSSA), and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, whose contributions enabled the operations to commence in 2023.
El Missouri further noted that the royal pardon granted by King Mohammed VI during the anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, last month, provided significant relief to cannabis cultivation offenders and encouraged their participation in the project.
“We are receiving multiple requests for participation, which reflects the hope generated by this new legal sector, and we want to make this facility a model of success that will benefit the entire region and beyond,” he concluded.
As part of ANRAC’s commitment to quality and compliance with standards, the agency implemented several measures to streamline operations, expand opportunities for local farmers, and support investors. It also invested in training sector actors as a means of fostering economic growth in the regions and across the kingdom.