Morocco has officially entered the international medical cannabis market with its first export to Australia.
This initial shipment marks a significant milestone for the country, which is rapidly formalizing its cannabis industry.
A 50-kilogram batch of the local Baldiya cannabis variety was shipped to Australia this week, following a successful quality control sample sent in June.
This progress is part of a broader shift in Morocco’s cannabis industry. While illicit cannabis cultivation still dominated in 2023, covering more than 27,000 hectares, this figure represents a substantial decline from the 130,000 hectares recorded in 2003. A royal pardon in 2024 further accelerated this trend, allowing 4,831 farmers to transition toward formal, legal cultivation. The legal cannabis sector is now entering a new “golden age,” with sustained growth and impressive yields of 20 quintals per hectare, generating an average turnover of approximately DH 120,000 (over €12,000) per hectare.
The legalization of cannabis for medical, cosmetic, and industrial purposes was made possible by a 2022 law. The new regulatory framework is designed to diversify the agricultural economy, particularly in the historically producing northern regions, while maintaining strict health and traceability standards.
This inaugural export to Australia confirms Morocco’s ambition to become a competitive player in the global medical cannabis market, which is valued at several billion euros. The move is a strategic one, as success in regulated markets like Australia could open doors to other opportunities, especially in Europe, where demand is growing. The next challenge for Morocco, according to industry experts, is to develop the necessary processing and certification infrastructure to meet international standards and capture a larger share of this new economic opportunity.
MK/Sf/ac/fss/abj/APA