Morocco exports first cannabis medicine produced in the country to South Africa

The Moroccan laboratory Cannaflex, in partnership with the South African pharmaceutical company DRA Pharmaceuticals, completed the first legal sale of a cannabis medicine. Produced entirely in Morocco, the product was dispensed to a patient in South Africa.

The transaction took place in Johannesburg, at the Greenways Dispensary pharmacy. The sale was made after a prescription was issued via the Cannabis Clinics telemedicine platform.

This event consolidates Morocco's entry into the international market for finished pharmaceutical products. In this way, the country moves from being just a raw material supplier to exporting final derivatives of the plant.

Regulation and approval of the cannabis medicine

For commercialization, the cannabis medicine, named Beldiya Plus, obtained the necessary health authorizations in both the country of origin and the destination country. The process involved approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

In Morocco, approval went through the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AMMPS) and the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC). The certifications allowed the product to be integrated into the formal supply chains of both nations.

Characteristics of the new cannabis medicine

The product is formulated with standardized doses of THC and CBD, using crops certified by Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). The nomenclature refers to a native variety from the Rif region, traditionally used in hashish production.

In pharmaceutical form, this cannabis medicine now has total traceability and stable chemical composition. The product meets all the technical parameters required for safe and effective therapeutic use.

Legal context and social impact

The activity is supported by Law 13-21, approved by the Moroccan parliament in 2021. The legislation authorizes the use of the plant for medicinal, pharmaceutical, and industrial purposes in the country.

The regulatory framework enabled the creation of formal cooperatives and export companies for this type of cannabis medicine. Furthermore, it facilitates access to social security for rural communities, although the implementation of the model still faces challenges in the face of the unregulated market.

With information from Cáñamo