Morocco, a country recognized for its beautiful architecture, is now gaining recognition for a different reason: its booming cannabis industry. At the centre of this green revolution are LED grow lights, transforming cannabis cultivation globally and could significantly impact Morocco’s economy. The industry has been thriving since early 2024, when the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities (ANRAC) approved nearly 3,000 cannabis-related licenses. The number of licenses issued in the first seven months of 2024 was five times the amount in 2023, marking a modern-day gold rush. At the centre of this green revolution are LED grow lights, transforming cannabis cultivation globally and could significantly impact Morocco’s economy.

The Cannabis Boom in Morocco

The growth in recent years comes with a combination of favourable legislation, global demand, and agriculture expertise. Morrocco’s perfect climate and fertile lands make it a prime location for cannabis cultivation. While issuing thousands of licenses, farmers are transitioning to cannabis to capitalize on this opportunity. However, successful cannabis cultivation requires more than just the right conditions and legal support; it demands precise control and the most efficient methods to fulfil its full potential.

The global demand for cannabis isn’t the only reason Morrocco is legalising it. The move aims to help fight drug trafficking and improve the lives of farmers who have relied on cannabis to support their families for centuries, affecting approximately 120,000 families.

“I never imagined that one day I would be able to grow cannabis without the fear and anxiety of being arrested, robbed, or not being able to sell my harvest”

Ichou, Moroccan Farmer, 48.

Legalization is a crucial step in reducing illegal cannabis trafficking, seeing a decrease of revenue from illicit activities from around $540 million in the early 2000s to almost $350 million in 2020.

The Hardships in Morocco

Moroccan Beldia

The use of LEDs in cannabis cultivation has increased by more than 45% for all stages of growth since 2016, and Morrocco can finally research and see the benefits of controlled environment agriculture for themselves. Legalization is a significant step for the country and its farmers, but it doesn’t come without challenges. By 2040, Morocco is expected to face very high water stress, according to the World Resources Institute. The country has been in a six-year drought, limiting the variety of plants that can be grown under these conditions. With only one viable option, Moroccan Beldia, a local variety of cannabis that is drought resilient. That is until indoor farming has become a possibility.  

Supporting Farmers and Boosting Morocco’s Economy

Despite all the benefits of CEA, including LED grow lights, many Moroccan farmers still cultivate cannabis in traditional fields without any advanced lighting solutions. For these farmers, transitioning to LED technology can allow them to grow a variety of different plants at all hours of the day, improve crop quality, and water conservation, increase yields and profits and most importantly, create new job opportunities. The economic impact of adopting indoor cultivation and LEDs in Morocco’s cannabis industry will allow them to remain competitive in the international market. This shift will attract foreign investment, stimulate local economies, and support the country’s overall economic growth.

As Morocco’s cannabis industry grows, the potential for technological advancements in agriculture becomes more promising. As it evolves, the role of LED technology will only become more significant. At Aelius LED, we support the journey of cultivators worldwide and celebrate the success they have achieved with the legalization of cannabis in Morocco.