Taounate: Inauguration of the first legal Indian hemp processing plant

Heba Press

Yesterday, Tuesday, the Director General of the National Agency for the Legalization of Activities Related to Indian Hemp, Mohamed El Guerrouj, supervised the inauguration of the first legal cannabis processing plant in the province of Taounate.

This inauguration, which took place in the presence of the governor of Taounate, Saleh Daha, and which marks the beginning of a new era for the cannabis industry in Morocco, is part of the implementation of Law No. 21-13 on the legal uses of cannabis. cannabis. It brings about significant changes, in particular through the creation of employment opportunities and the development of a high value-added sector, aimed at improving the local economy and promoting a more responsible industry.

In a statement to the press on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, El Guerrouj stressed that the effective start of operation of this first conversion plant will open new horizons for the local economy.

He added: “Thanks to the joint efforts of the government and the National Agency for the Legalization of Marijuana-Related Activities, all the conditions are in place for the successful launch of this new plant.”

He stressed that among the priorities of this launch was the monitoring of investors and farmers, stressing that “this initiative will allow to monitor a growing number of local actors to benefit from the opportunities offered by this new legitimate chain.”

Meanwhile, the director general of the National Agency for the Legalization of Marijuana-Related Activities confirmed that the agency has launched a strict monitoring program to ensure compliance with legalization standards.

Mr. El Guerrouj explained: “This program, which aims to promote a responsible and quality industry, will be subject to regular evaluation in order to guarantee its effectiveness and to monitor the evolution of the sector.”

On the sidelines of this ceremony, Mustafa Al-Maisouri, an investor from Taounate, expressed his joy at the prospects offered by this new factory.

Al-Missouri confirmed, in a statement to the Arab Maghreb Press, that this new cannabis processing unit is the result of an investment estimated at 20 million dirhams, and a long-term vision for the region.

He explained: “Our factory, which has been completed on a total area estimated at over 3,000 square meters, includes nurseries and advanced industrial extraction units.”

After highlighting the positive impact of the project on local employment, Al-Missouri stressed that this project has created 25 permanent jobs, in addition to more than 300 seasonal jobs spread throughout the year. According to the project leader, this represents a real opportunity for the local workforce and a boost for the economy of the Taounate region.

Al-Missouri also highlighted the complex and fruitful path that led to this opening.

He said: “Since the legalization of cannabis, we have worked tirelessly to obtain all the necessary licenses. Our activities began in 2023 thanks to a collective effort involving the National Agency for the Legalization of Marijuana-Related Activities, local authorities, the Directorate of Medicines and Pharmacy, the National Office for Food Safety and the Ministry of Commerce and Pharmacy. Industry.”

He took this opportunity to welcome the royal pardon that His Majesty King Mohammed VI granted, on the occasion of the anniversary of the revolution of the King and the people, to persons convicted, prosecuted or investigated in cases related to the cultivation of Indian cannabis, which aroused great satisfaction among farmers and encouraged them to engage in this project.

He stressed: “We are receiving many requests for participation, which reflects the hopes raised by this new series.” We aspire to make the new plant a model of success, from which the entire entity, and others, will benefit.

It is worth noting that, as part of the efforts to ensure a quality and standards-compliant conversion, the National Agency for the Legalization of Marijuana-Related Activities has taken a series of measures, including strengthening control, expanding opportunities for local farmers, supporting investors and investing in the training of stakeholders in the sector, with the aim of making this opening a real turning point for the economic development of the region and the country.