Morocco approves legalizing the cultivation and commercialization of cannabis

The Lower House of the Moroccan Parliament has approved a bill to legalize the cultivation and commercialization of cannabis for medicinal and industrial use in the country, one of the largest producers of this drug in the world. The House of Representatives has approved the The bill, which does not contemplate the decriminalization of cannabis use for recreational uses, with 119 votes in favor and 48 against, according to the Moroccan state news agency MAP. During the session, the Minister of the Interior, Abdeluafi Laftit , has highlighted that the decision comes at an “unprecedented” moment due to the approval of the consumption of this drug in several countries, as well as the relaxation of control over it, with which Rabat seeks to obtain benefits from the commercialization of cannabis. Likewise, he has defended that the country has significant potential to achieve investments and benefits through the industrialization of the production and sale of cannabis, before dest The geographical position of the country will help in this task, given its proximity to European coasts. Laftit has also emphasized the country’s “competitive advantages”, including the “great knowledge” of cannabis accumulated throughout history , which, in his opinion, will be an advantage for Moroccan farmers, while pointing out that the bill should lead to “a new phase in management”, based on sustainable development and the improvement of conditions of farmers.In this sense, it has detailed that the text allows the grouping of farmers in cooperatives that will be in charge of signing contracts with industries and defending workers’ rights, while it has underlined a “gender approach” on activities related to agriculture. Indica hemp to ‘improve conditions’ for women in rural regions. The production and marketing of cannabis, mainly focused on the Rif area, has been illegal for years, leading to the flourishing of illegal trafficking networks, that also affect Spain. The Rif has been the epicenter of protests in recent years against economic inequality and high unemployment.