Cannabis and Morocco

Morocco is located in the North-West of Africa and is separated from Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar, with a width of only 14 km. The Moroccan economy depends largely on agriculture. Other major employers are the industrial sector, the fishing industry and tourism. At least 20% of the active population suffers from unemployment and under-employment. Over 2 million Moroccans have moved to Europe or North America.

Morocco remains the main source of cannabis resin (hashish), supplying especially the European market. It has been estimated that upwards of 200 000 families are involved in cannabis cultivation. This means between 1 000 000 and 1 500 000 individuals out of a population of 30 million. The gross annual income from cannabis has been estimated at 3600 Dh or about 327 Euros per person. In comparison, the gross domestic product per inhabitant in 2003 was 14 106 Dh or about 1270 Euros.

While little progress has been made in poverty reduction and in the search for alternative sources of income in the Rif, crop eradication programmes have been employed in the area. The has lead to increased suffering and pleas for the legalization of cannabis cultivation in Morocco for therapeutic and industrial uses.