فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
April 25, 2026 – Taounate
Taounate – Fes News
The regulated cannabis sector in Taounate has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, reflecting a fast-evolving dynamic since the legalization framework was introduced, and positioning the sector as an emerging economic driver in the region.
According to official data, production of dried cannabis in the province increased significantly—from حوالي 940 quintals in 2023 to nearly 7,993 quintals in 2025—highlighting both expansion and improved structuring of the activity.
In this context, Ihssane Sedki, provincial director of the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities, stated that the number of licensed farmers reached 2,453 in 2025, covering a total area of approximately 2,031 hectares. This reflects growing farmer engagement in the regulated framework.
The same source noted that efforts to simplify licensing and marketing procedures have accelerated investment, particularly after reducing product registration timelines at the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products from 18 months to just two months—encouraging the development of new products.
On the industrial side, specialized companies have emerged to support this transition, including Somacan, which oversees 33 cooperatives involving around 790 farmers across nearly 687 hectares, under partnership contracts that include technical supervision and quality assurance.
Agricultural expert Mustapha Chentouf explained that since its launch in 2023, the company has developed over 30 approved products, with additional products currently under certification, reflecting a strategy focused on value addition and market expansion.
Local stakeholders emphasize that the shift toward regulated cultivation has improved farmers’ working conditions, providing continuous technical support and more stable income—especially in mountainous areas with limited resources.
In 2026, cooperatives have also begun diversifying crops by integrating local and imported varieties, with ambitions to expand cultivated areas and enter export-oriented value chains.
On the ground, fields across several communes—such as Mezraoua—illustrate the sector’s transformation. Cannabis is no longer a traditional activity but has become part of a structured economic system based on regulation and value creation.
This transformation is supported by specialized industrial units using advanced processing and extraction technologies, including supercritical CO₂ methods to produce high-purity extracts that meet international standards.
In this regard, quality engineer Nihad Hassani confirmed that production follows an integrated system covering cultivation, harvesting, and processing, in compliance with international standards such as GACP, ISO, and GMP certifications—facilitating access to both national and global markets.
At the local level, this initiative is seen as a major opportunity to drive economic development by creating jobs, encouraging investment, and enhancing natural resources, within a sustainable and inclusive development model.
Source: Fes News Media
