What Investors Need to Know
Morocco’s legal cannabis industry is growing — and so is the interest from investors. But before committing capital, it’s critical to understand how the country’s licensing system works, and how to invest legally and responsibly.
What Is Law 13-21?
Law 13-21 is Morocco’s cannabis regulation law, passed in 2021. It allows for the cultivation, processing, transformation, and export of cannabis for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial uses — but only within a tightly controlled legal framework.
The law:
Is overseen by the national regulatory agency ANRAC
Legalizes cannabis only in designated regions
Requires all participants to obtain official licenses
In Morocco, investment must follow the law — not lead it. The right structure protects everyone involved.
Types of Licenses
There are several types of licenses under Law 13-21, including:
- Cultivation Licenses
- Issued to registered cooperatives made up of traditional farmers
- Cultivation must occur in licensed zones
- Requires compliance with GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices)
- Processing & Transformation Licenses
- For drying, sorting, extraction, or further product development
- Typically granted to companies or partnerships working with cultivators
- Export Licenses
- For the sale of raw or processed cannabis products to international markets
- Must meet traceability and certification standards
- Research, Marketing, or Distribution Licenses
- For ancillary services and non-cultivation-related work
Can Investors Apply for Licenses?
Foreign or private investors cannot hold cultivation licenses directly — those are reserved for farmer cooperatives. However, investors can:
- Partner legally with licensed cooperatives or processors
- Fund infrastructure, training, or post-harvest processing
- Structure joint ventures or service agreements
- Hold shares in companies licensed for transformation or export
This structure protects the integrity of Morocco’s community-first approach while allowing compliant investment and growth.
Legal Structures for Investment
We help investors create legally compliant pathways, including:
- Service contracts with licensed cooperatives
- Joint ventures for post-harvest transformation or processing
- Legal due diligence on partners and licensing status
- GACP-to-GMP strategy design for downstream market access
Every agreement is aligned with ANRAC regulations, contract law, and your risk profile.
What to Avoid
- Investing in unlicensed land or producers
- Bypassing the cooperative model
- Ignoring Moroccan legal documentation or ownership rules
- Assuming cultivation = control (it doesn’t)
The best investments respect Moroccan law, local knowledge, and shared value creation.
Our Role: Legal Security for Smart Investment
As Morocco’s first cannabis-only law firm, we provide:
- Full legal structuring and review
- Transparent risk and compliance assessments
- Partnership documentation and contract drafting
- Ongoing regulatory support and monitoring
Ready to Invest Responsibly?
Contact us here for a private consultation.
