Is Cannabis / THC legal in Morocco?
- Legal status
- Recreational use/possession ILLEGAL (1974 Dahir Art 8, 2 months–1 year + fine); legal cultivation ONLY for licensed medical/industrial use in 3 Rif provinces (Law 13-21) — NOT recreational; no death penalty
- Consequences if caught
- Recreational cannabis use and possession are ILLEGAL under the 1974 Dahir (Art 8): 2 months–1 year plus a 500–5,000 dirham fine. Law No. 13-21 (2021) created a LEGAL cannabis industry for MEDICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL and INDUSTRIAL purposes ONLY — licensed cultivation in three Rif provinces (Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Taounate), regulated by ANRAC; cultivation outside a licence or purpose remains a crime (Art 51: 3 months–2 years). CRITICAL DISAMBIGUATION: Law 13-21 does NOT legalize recreational use — it does not even mention consumers. Morocco is the world's top hashish producer with centuries of de-facto-tolerated kif and active cannabis tourism (Ketama), but recreational use IS a crime, merely laxly enforced. Morocco has NO death penalty for drugs.
- If prescribed or medical
- Medical/pharmaceutical cannabis exists only within the licensed Law 13-21 industry (ANRAC); there is no recreational provision.
- Documentation
- Law No. 13-21 (2021) legalized cannabis only for licensed MEDICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL and INDUSTRIAL use in three Rif provinces (regulated by ANRAC) — it does NOT legalize recreational use and does not even mention consumers. Recreational use remains a crime under the 1974 Dahir, merely laxly enforced. Morocco has NO death penalty for drug offences. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.
- Dahir No. 1-73-282 of 21 May 1974 (Bulletin Officiel/BORM No. 3214/1974), Arts 8/51
- Law No. 13-21 of 14 July 2021 on licit cannabis uses (BORM No. 7006/7010)
- Ministry of Justice
- euda.europa.eu
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Morocco’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
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