Morocco Legal Cannabis Industry Expands 14-Fold Amid Persistent Black Market

Since Morocco legalized cannabis cultivation in 2022 for medical and industrial purposes, the country has seen significant growth in its legal cannabis industry, with about 5,000 farmers joining the sector in 2025 and legal production increasing to nearly 4,200 tons, a 14-fold rise from 2023. This move has brought hope for economic revitalization in the impoverished Rif region, allowing farmers like Abderrahman Talbi to work without fear of raids or seizures, and positioning Morocco as a leader in North Africa and the Middle East. However, the illegal cannabis market remains dominant, fueled by high demand for recreational use in Europe and Africa, and offers much higher profits compared to the tightly regulated and bureaucratic legal market. Legal growers face significant challenges, including mandatory cooperative membership, complex licensing, and delayed payments, which discourage many farmers from transitioning to the legal sector. Despite the government's efforts to regulate the market and exclude recreational use, the black market's size—spanning over 27,000 hectares compared to 5,800 hectares legally planted—poses a major obstacle to fully controlling cannabis production. Officials emphasize that Morocco's focus remains on developing the medical and cosmetic cannabis industry, with no plans to legalize recreational use, but many farmers continue to prefer the illegal trade due to its economic advantages and simpler processes.