According to a State Department report, cannabis production in Morocco has risen in 2016 to bring to the treasury of nearly $ 100 billion, or 93 billion euros.
However, economic expert Kenza Afsahi told French newspaper Le Monde that cannabis production in Morocco accounts for 23% of the Kingdom's GDP.
"This big figure is nothing more than a black cloud that conceals complex facts about cannabis cultivation in the Kingdom and how to transform this raw material," she said.
The economic and social expert, the researcher at the Emile Durkheim Center and the professor at Purdue University, tried to decipher the cultivation of cannabis in the kingdom, which was the subject of her thesis.
Do you think this is a real horrific figure?
"The cultivation of cannabis occupies an important place in Morocco's economy, but we have to deal with the revenue figure published in the US report with caution. It should be borne in mind that these statistics are based on the latest report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which is expected to produce 700 cannabis in Morocco.
In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that cannabis, later converted into gum or "resin", could account for 23% of the Kingdom's GDP. The cannabis is then mixed in its raw state with cannabis, which has been converted into gum.
On the other hand, we are not sure of the proportion of the quantity of cannabis transferred to gum; it is not clear whether these projections are based on the reports of Morocco's customs and police services, or on the percentage of land allocated for cultivation of this substance. In either case, there is no precise methodology for how to grow cannabis in Morocco.
Does that reflect reality?
No; because the reality is much more complicated.
Between 2003 and 2005, UNODC and the Government of Morocco carried out joint investigations into the area of resinous land, although this study was systematic and detailed, it has been discontinued since 2006.
On the other hand, the cultivation of cannabis in Morocco has undergone a radical change in recent years, as the decline in the cultivated area with cannabis coincided with the supply of new hybrid varieties from Europe with a stronger impact.
But these varieties need a large amount of water and fertilizers, as well as pesticides, and the need to introduce new agricultural techniques while providing more labor.
On the other hand, this does not mean that the crop of cannabis will necessarily be abundant. Most farmers are not sufficiently trained to deal with new modern technologies, and the soil is too exhausted by over-exploitation of the same material for years.
Finally, the prices of cannabis in Europe are much higher than the frequent price in the Moroccan countryside. Thus, a significant proportion of cannabis proceeds are used by unknown foreign parties, not by the Moroccan economy, and a significant proportion of cannabis growers are at risk.
Regardless of these expectations, Morocco ranks first in the world in the production and export of cannabis?
This information is widespread in various circles, because Moroccan cannabis is exported in large quantities to Europe. Security and customs sources confirmed that most of the confiscated cannabis originated in Morocco, but this is still inaccurate and should be treated with caution. It is also known that cannabis trade is more prevalent on both shores of the Mediterranean than any other region in the world.
It is worth mentioning that there are other countries that have developed centers for the production of cannabis globally, but not mentioned or talked about, and a good example of this is Lebanon, Afghanistan and India. Industrial countries have long been among the major producers of Indian cannabis. This phenomenon has been widespread for a long time and will not stop; it will continue in the future as a result of several countries codifying this type of agriculture.
The problem is not that Morocco is among the world's leading producers of cannabis, but in the intensification of global and European competition, which confirms that this substance is widespread on a global level. Why should we not think about the future of farmers and their families? The cannabis trade has become an integral part of their lives in the Rif Mountains?
The report of the US Department of State, based on the reports of international experts specialized in the trade and cultivation of cannabis in Morocco, is conclusive evidence of unequal treatment between Western and developing countries.
Paradoxically, the Nordic countries are discussing the regulation of cannabis cultivation, while they are constantly talking about drug damage. For the South, governments are fighting and controlling cannabis trade and cultivation.
The Rif Mountains represent the most cannabis production areas. Are there other areas?
At present, the countryside of the Rif Mountains continues to embrace the global cultivation of cannabis. But back to the recent past, there are other areas known for cannabis cultivation in Morocco. During the 20th century, France cultivated tobacco, which led to the cultivation and production of cannabis. These materials were planted in the region of Beni Mellal and the province of Al Haouz.
The cannabis crop is not only exported to the world market; As a result, the consumption of this substance in the Kingdom has increased significantly, but the percentages and figures remain inaccurate due to the lack of studies on this subject.
Cannabis cultivation is a major source of revenue for Moroccan farmers. Is this beneficial to the country as a whole?
Northern Morocco became the second richest region in the kingdom, although it has been marginalized since King Hassan II. In the era of his son, Mohammed VI, the situation was different for some areas, which became part of the programs of the royal court development, such as: Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Taounate and Taza. In contrast, the areas where cannabis cultivation is grown are excluded from development programs on the grounds that they are isolated mountainous areas.
On the other hand, the authorities can not abolish the cultivation of cannabis, because the people are fully convinced that these lands are not suitable for the cultivation of other crops. Instead, the authorities must open up to these areas and remove them from their isolation. The Moroccan authorities should also take into account the beauty of nature, which combines the sea and the mountains, characteristic of the Rif Mountains, which can make them a tourist destination.
Can cannabis trade legislation be considered a solution?
It has previously called on actors in society and political parties to work to codify the cannabis trade, with a view to its use in the textile industry and the pharmaceutical industry.
However, this proposal did not appeal to farmers because they feared that pressure would be on them more than smugglers, and they would be under new pressure from drug dealers' lobbies.
In addition, farmers in the legalization of cannabis cultivation see the possibility of moving to other areas with fertile soil and no shortage of water.
In all cases, the meeting of Moroccans to open a dialogue on the future of cannabis is, in itself, an important step, provided both farmers and consumers are involved.
What strategy have the authorities taken regarding this phenomenon?
All the alternative cannabis plantations financed by the European Union have been particularly unsuccessful, particularly between 2003 and 2011. The strategy was to reduce agricultural activity while eliminating agricultural areas of cannabis.
The aim of the plan is to combat smuggling and dispatch effective development projects within areas where cannabis is cultivated. But these projects did not reach the desired results. Unfortunately, these major development projects did not include the areas of cannabis farmers, which confirm that these areas are still marginalized.
The Moroccan authorities are working to protect the country from the terrorist threat, so how can it not stop the illegal trade in cannabis?
The Moroccan authorities are doing well in the countryside, but it is unreasonable to be able to trace the traditional networks of cannabis trade and to pursue terrorist networks at the same time.
Despite international cannabis trade legislation, this type of trade has remained locally rooted, with representatives of these traders and authorities having an agreement with farmers. Thanks to the extensive control of the region and the crackdown on smugglers, no marketing networks have been created that could pose a threat to state security. At present, there is no worrying conflict in the Rif Mountains.