The government has just approved a draft decree providing clarifications to Law 13.21 authorizing the legalization of the use of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. The contours of this legalization.
Like many countries, the legal cannabis market opens up many economic opportunities. The Executive has adopted draft decree No. 2.22.159 implementing certain provisions of Law No. 13.21 relating to the legal use of cannabis, presented by the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit. The project, which authorizes the legalization of the use of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, gives an idea of the contours of this future legal market.
In detail, the project sets the regions in which it is permitted to authorize activities related to the cultivation, production, establishment, and exploitation of cannabis. These are Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, and Taounate with the possibility of adding other provinces depending on the interest shown by national and international investors in activities related to the cannabis production chain.
In addition, the text emphasizes that the National Regulatory Agency will be the body in charge of supporting actors wishing to invest in the sector through the facilitation of administrative formalities for obtaining licenses. To prevent the exploitation of legal cannabis for illegal purposes, it will also be required to receive detailed monthly reports from licensees on the status of seeds, plants, and finished cannabis products from future licensees.
The project also provides for the establishment of an advisory committee that will be responsible for examining authorization requests and giving its opinion on them. Chaired by the Director-General of the Agency or his representative, this commission will bring together the representatives of the departments concerned.
Furthermore, this regulatory provision authorizes the Ministries of the Interior, Agriculture, Health, Commerce, and Industry to decide on the cultivation, production, processing, manufacturing, transport, and export of cannabis. These authorities will also be able to decide on the tetrahydrocannabinol content (THC – the main molecule responsible for the psychotropic effects) of the varieties that will be imported and cultivated.
