The Cabinet of Morocco, the chief executive body of the country, approved a draft decree that establishes regulations for an agency overseeing cannabis operations in the country.
On Monday, prime minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani approved draft decree 2.21.642 during a video conference with the country’s lead executive body. The decree implements articles 32 and 35 of law 13.21 that expand on the regulations for the use of industrial and medicinal cannabis in Morocco.
The law created the new National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis in Morocco which would fall under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry according to this decree, as reported by Maghreb Arab Press.
The agency will be in charge of controlling the cultivation, production, manufacturing, transportation, marketing of cannabis as well as its export and import for medical purposes.
Read more: Morocco moves to legalize cannabis for medical and industrial use
The law doesn’t legalize recreational use, but focuses on the cosmetic, industrial and medical uses of the plant.
Interior Minister Abdel-Wafi Laftit introduced the draft bill, and after several amendments Morocco’s House of Councilors approved the first draft in June.
#MapActu
مجلس المستشارين يصادق بالأغلبية على مشروع القانون المتعلق بالاستعمالات المشروعة للقنب الهنديhttps://t.co/o1hCRQOvpj pic.twitter.com/3iGzQDE9eI— Agence MAP (@MAP_Information) June 8, 2021
According to a report by Morocco World News, law 13.21 was issued in the summer and reclassified cannabis as a legal substance under Moroccan law.
The law aims to improve rural economies and provide cannabis farmers with a legal income given the numerous illegal activities involved with cannabis and by-products like hashish.
Moroccan nationals who want to grow, sell, use or trade cannabis can only do so if they own the land or have permission from the land owner. Other requirements include being part of a cooperative and getting a permit from the regulatory agency. Growing will only be allowed in certain regions and a THC limit will be determined in the future.
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