From Illicit Source to Regulated Exporter
For decades, Morocco has been one of the world’s largest suppliers of unregulated cannabis, with its famous Rif region recognized as a global hub of cultivation. But in recent years, the country has been working to transition from informal production to a regulated, legal framework.
In March 2021, Morocco officially approved the legal cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. This was followed by the establishment of a national agency to oversee licensing, compliance, and export strategy. The government made it clear from the outset: the goal was not only to regulate domestic use, but also to position Morocco as a competitive global exporter of medical cannabis.
First Export to Australia: A Milestone
That vision reached a new milestone this month as Morocco completed its first legal medical cannabis export to Australia.
According to local coverage by APA News:
“Morocco has officially entered the international medical cannabis market with its first export to Australia. This initial shipment marks a significant milestone for the country, which is rapidly formalizing its cannabis industry.”
The shipment consisted of 50 kilograms of the local Beldiya cannabis variety, following a smaller quality-control sample that was sent in June and successfully approved.
Scientific Backing: Why the Beldiya Strain Matters
Moroccan researchers recently published a study in Food Chemistry Advances highlighting the chemical stability of the Beldiya strain compared to other cultivars grown in the country. Using advanced LC-MS/TSQ Endura testing, they evaluated cannabinoid profiles across multiple strains and harvest years.
The conclusion:
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Exotic cultivars varied widely year to year.
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The local Beldiya strain remained consistently stable, showing predictable cannabinoid composition.
This stability gives Morocco a unique advantage in meeting international pharmaceutical standards, a critical requirement for sustained export growth.
Economic Potential of Morocco’s Legal Cannabis
Market analysts estimate that Morocco’s regulated cannabis industry could generate between $420 million and $630 million annually, depending on demand, export agreements, and regulatory expansion.
With favorable growing conditions and some of the lowest cultivation costs in the world (reportedly as low as $0.10 per gram), Morocco is well positioned to compete with major cannabis-producing nations such as Canada and Colombia.
A New Chapter for Morocco and Global Cannabis Trade
The successful export to Australia marks the beginning of Morocco’s integration into the international medical cannabis supply chain, a development that could have far-reaching implications for both its economy and its diplomatic trade relations.
For comparison, other nations are also leveraging cannabis exports as a growth sector.
For instance, Italy’s authorization of medical cannabis flower distribution earlier this year underscores how countries are competing to secure their share of the global cannabis market.
