Mohamed El Khrog, the Director General of the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities, today oversaw the inauguration of the first legal cannabis processing plant in the province of Taounate.
This inauguration, attended by the Governor of the Taounate Province, Saleh Daha, marking a new era for the cannabis industry in Morocco, is part of the implementation of Law No. 21-13 regarding the legal uses of cannabis. It brings significant changes, especially through job creation and the development of a high-value-added chain aimed at improving the local economy and promoting a more responsible industry.
In a press statement on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, Mr. El Khrog confirmed that the actual launch of this first processing plant would open new horizons for the local economy.
He added that “thanks to the joint efforts of the government and the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities, all conditions are in place for the successful launch of this new plant.”
He remarked that among the priorities for this launch is to support investors and farmers, noting that “this initiative will enable an increasing number of local stakeholders to benefit from the opportunities provided by this new legal chain.”
Meanwhile, the Director General confirmed that the agency has launched a strict monitoring program to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
El Khrog explained that “this program, aimed at promoting a responsible and quality industry, will be regularly evaluated to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with sector developments.”
On the sidelines of this event, Mustafa Al-Maisouri, an investor from Taounate, expressed his satisfaction with the opportunities presented by this new plant.
Al-Maisouri stated to the Moroccan News Agency that this new cannabis processing facility is the result of an investment worth 20 million dirhams and a long-term vision for the region.
He explained that “our factory, built on a total area of over 3,000 square meters, includes nurseries and advanced industrial extraction units.”
Highlighting the project’s positive impact on local employment, Mr. Al-Maisouri noted that this project has created 25 permanent jobs, in addition to over 300 seasonal jobs spread throughout the year. This represents, according to the project holder, a genuine opportunity for local labor and a boost to the economy of the Taounate Province.
Al-Maisouri also emphasized the complex yet rewarding journey that led to this opening.
He reported that “since the legalization of cannabis, we have worked tirelessly to obtain all necessary licenses. We launched our activities in 2023 with a collective effort that involved the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities, local authorities, the Directorate of Medicine and Pharmacy, the National Office for Food Safety, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.”
He seized this opportunity to commend the royal pardon granted by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the anniversary of the King and People’s Revolution to individuals convicted, prosecuted, or wanted in cannabis cultivation cases, which has brought great relief to farmers and encouraged their involvement in this project.
He affirmed, “We receive many requests for participation, reflecting the hopes opened by this new chain. We aim to make the new plant a model for success that benefits the entire region and beyond.”
It should be noted that as part of efforts to ensure quality and standard-compliant processing, the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities has implemented a series of measures, including reinforcing monitoring, broadening opportunities for local farmers, supporting investors, and investing in stakeholder training, aiming to make this inauguration a true turning point for the economic development of the region and the country.
