Cannabis growing area shrinking in Morocco

2009-07-02

Morocco is still ranked first among countries exporting cannabis resin, but a UN report shows that the area devoted to producing the drug is getting smaller.

By Mohammed Gherbaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 02/07/09

[Abdelhak Senna/AFP/Getty Images] A recent UN report shows a reduction in some aspects of Morocco's drug trade.

The latest report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime places Morocco at the top of the list of countries producing cannabis resin or chira; nevertheless, it also shows a decrease in the area planted with drugs around the country.

The annual World Drug Report monitors the production and marketing of illegal drugs around the world. Issued on Friday (June 26th), the report says that the Moroccan government reported 60,000 hectares cultivated with cannabis in the last year, compared to 76,400 hectares in 2005 and 134,400 hectares in 2003.

In a statement to Magharebia, government spokesman Khalid Naciri said the reduction was due to the fact that the authorities "performed their duty" in view of the economic and health consequences of the illegal drug trade.

This year, Moroccan authorities captured a record 32.2 tonnes of chira in a single raid. The illicit cargo was seized at the port of Casablanca, foiling an attempt to smuggle it into Spain.

The report also recorded a decline in the quantity of seized chira in Morocco: it was 440,747 kg during the period from 2005 to 2007, compared to 468,727 kg during the period from 2002 to 2004. According to the report, Afghanistan comes second with 440,747 kg during the period from 2005 to 2007.

In 2007, of the total cannabis seized by authorities around the world, 4% was seized in Morocco, according to the report, compared to 39% seized in Mexico. Meanwhile, the seized quantity of chira was 9% in Morocco, compared to 50% in Spain.

Although the report showed a reduction in cultivated lands, the high numbers still worry officials and experts.

About 21% of the chira circulating around the world between 2005 and 2007 was exported from Morocco, the report said. It was only 17% between 2002 and 2004. Afghanistan came second with 9%.

"While the report speaks of a decrease in cannabis-producing land," said Mohammed Hammouchi, Vice President of Rif Association for Human Rights, "it mentions an increase in seized quantities; the percentage of production is still high. This makes us somewhat doubt the news about the reduced cultivated lands, considering that the measurement of these areas is only done through satellites. Therefore, the figures in the report are only approximate."

Hammouchi said there was no immediate solution to the problem. "However," he said, "we can reduce the volume of production. On the one hand, we have to consider providing real alternatives for farmers in the regions that have recently known this agriculture, and on the other hand, we can legitimise the agriculture in the areas that are known for their traditional production by creating alternative uses for this product, especially in pharmaceutical industry."

The Moroccan government stepped up its campaign against drug trafficking following pressure from the EU, especially after affording Morocco "advanced status".