Frequently Asked Questions

To cultivate cannabis, the applicant must meet the following conditions:

• Be of Moroccan nationality;
• Be of legal age;
• Reside in one of the douars located in the provinces designated by decree;
• Be a member of a cooperative established specifically for this purpose;
• Be the owner of the plot, have the owner’s consent, or hold an administrative certificate of exploitation.

What obligations apply to authorized cultivators ?

Cultivators must use seeds certified by the Agency and deliver their entire harvest to cooperatives, at a price set by a sales contract. They must also comply with detailed specifications concerning cultivation standards and the use of fertilizers or pesticides.

What documents are required for a cultivation application file ?

At the time of submission, the file must include :

• A copy of the national identity card (CNIE);
• A dated and signed application in accordance with the official model;
• Proof of ownership or exploitation of the plot;
• A plot plan linked to Lambert coordinates issued by an accredited surveyor;
• Proof of membership in a cooperative or a commitment to join one.

What is the Agency’s response time for obtaining an authorization ?

ANRAC has a period of sixty (60) days from receipt of a complete application file to notify its decision in writing. Failure to respond does not constitute authorization.

What is the validity period of an authorization?

Each authorization is issued for a renewable period of ten (10) years.

Can an authorization be transferred or sold to a third party?

No. The law is explicit: it is prohibited to transfer, lend, lease or assign an authorization to third parties.

What happens in the event of the death of the holder of an authorization ?

Exceptionally, in the event of the death of a cultivator or producer, the Agency may grant a temporary authorization to the representative of the entitled beneficiaries. This authorization is limited in time and expires once the current harvest has been delivered to the cooperatives.

What must a cultivator do in the event of crop loss due to exceptional circumstances ?

In the event that delivery of the harvest becomes impossible due to damage or accidental loss, the cultivator must declare the incident to the Agency within seven (7) days. This enables the Agency to conduct the necessary investigations to verify the facts.

Can farmers freely sell their production ?

No. Sales are authorized only within the framework of sales contracts concluded by the production cooperative to which the authorized farmers belong, with authorized operators (processors or exporters).

Can farmers retain part of the harvest ?

No. The entire production must be delivered to authorized operators, in accordance with contracts approved by ANRAC.

Do cannabis production cooperatives have specific obligations ?

Yes. In particular, they must comply with authorized surface areas, sales contracts, regulated agricultural practices and traceability rules.

What is the authorized THC level ?

For industrial activities (other than medical uses), the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level is set at 1%. The cultivation of varieties exceeding this threshold is reserved exclusively for medical and pharmaceutical industries.

What are the requirements for companies engaged in processing, manufacturing, marketing or exporting cannabis and its products ?

These entities must be incorporated as companies under Moroccan law. They must have sufficient human and material resources and, imperatively, secure and monitored warehouses for storage.

How is traceability ensured ?

Each farmer and operator authorized by ANRAC must maintain traceability registers for cannabis and its products. Products must bear clear labeling indicating the authorization number, the official logo, as well as the identity of the sender and the recipient concerned.

Can cannabis seeds be imported ?

Yes. Cannabis seeds can be imported, but only with prior approval from ANRAC and ONSSA, and in accordance with national phytosanitary rules.

Is irrigation of cannabis cultivation plots regulated ?

Yes. Irrigation practices must comply with regulations governing water resource management and applicable technical recommendations.

Is the transport of cannabis regulated ?

Yes. Cannabis transport is regulated and must be conducted with authorization, the required documentation, and proper security arrangements.

What penalties apply in the event of non-compliance with Law No. 13-21 ?

• Penalties vary depending on the type of offense :
• Cultivation outside authorized areas or failure to deliver the harvest to cooperatives is punishable by three months to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 100,000 dirhams ;
• Failure to provide secure warehouses may result in a fine ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 dirhams;
• The use of uncertified seeds or failure to comply with labeling requirements is punishable by a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 dirhams;
• In the event of repeat offenses, penalties are doubled.

Which authorities are responsible for enforcing Law No. 13-21 ?

Customs officers, water and forestry officers, and sworn agents of the Agency specially commissioned for this purpose, in addition to judicial police officers, are authorized to investigate and record violations.

What are the advertising rules for cannabis-based products ?

It is strictly prohibited to use the designation or official logo “cannabis product” in the advertising of a product that has not been obtained in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 13-21.

What information must appear on the label of a cannabis product ?

Any cannabis product must clearly and indelibly display:

• The authorization number;
• The name and quantity of the material used;
• The identity of the sender and the recipient;
• The official logo or the wording “cannabis product”.

Can foreign investors invest in the cannabis sector in Morocco ?

Yes. Foreign investors may participate in processing, manufacturing, and export activities, in accordance with Moroccan regulations.

Is scientific research on cannabis permitted ?

Yes. Cannabis research may be conducted with prior authorization from ANRAC and the relevant authorities