This report from Newsweed, published on 16 April 2025.

Moroccan startup Cannaflex has announced that it has successfully completed the first-ever international export of the traditional Beldia variety .

The shipment, destined for pharmaceutical companies in Europe and Africa, marks a turning point in the kingdom's efforts to transform its historic cannabis-growing regions into legal and economically viable centers.

The company announced the development in a press release dated April 10, 2025, calling the export a "historic first." The Beldia cannabis , grown in the mountainous province of Chefchaouen , was transported to Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport before being shipped abroad. The entire operation was carried out in strict compliance with Moroccan regulations, in accordance with Law 13-21 , the cornerstone of the country's legal framework for cannabis.

This success positions Cannaflex as a pioneer in Morocco's regulated industry. The company operates under the supervision of the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities ( ANRAC ), and coordinated this export with oversight from several national authorities. These include the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AMMPS) and Morocco Foodex, which oversees the quality and compliance of agricultural products intended for export.

The operation also benefited from logistical support from Royal Air Maroc and other international partners.

A legal and economic turning point

This first export of medical cannabis grown in Morocco marks a significant moment in the implementation of the country's legalization strategy . For decades, Chefchaouen and other northern provinces were associated with informal and illegal cannabis cultivation. The transition to a legal and regulated market now paves the way for social and economic revitalization.

“These international commercial operations are the driving forces behind the economic and social development of the provinces affected by cannabis cultivation,” Cannaflex said. This vision aligns with the Moroccan government’s broader objectives: improving the livelihoods of rural populations, eliminating illegal trafficking networks, and integrating small farmers into a formal and sustainable market.

This initiative also places Morocco on the map of serious players in the global medical cannabis trade . While countries like Canada, Israel, and Colombia have made headlines in recent years, Morocco's entry carries particular weight due to its historical and cultural ties to cannabis cultivation, particularly the Beldia variety , which has been cultivated in the Rif Mountains for generations.

A growing portfolio of cannabis products

This international launch follows a year of growing domestic success for Cannaflex. Since receiving regulatory approval from ANRAC in 2024, the company has launched 22 cannabis-derived products , ranging from dietary supplements to cosmetic formulations . These products are now available in more than 250 pharmacies across the country and at Cannaflex retail outlets, and are also prescribed by Moroccan healthcare professionals.

ANRAC, created following the adoption of Law 13-21, has played a key role in reviewing licenses and ensuring compliance at all levels of the supply chain. In 2024 alone, the agency issued 3,371 authorizations ,

including 3,056 for 2,907 farmers .

Total legal cannabis production in Morocco reached 4,082.4 tons this year, compared to almost 300 tons in 2023 .

 #