Moroccan party holds parliamentary hearing to legalize cannabis for medical, industrial uses

RABAT, Morocco – One of Morocco's main political parties has held a hearing about legalizing cannabis growing for medical and industrial uses.

Representatives of the Party for Authenticity and Modernity said such a law would, in part, improve the lives of the one million people in the country who make their living growing marijuana.

Authorities largely turn a blind eye to the extensive cultivation of cannabis in Morocco's northern Rif mountains, much of which is exported to Europe as hashish.

Some lawmakers say the small farmers reap little profit from its cultivation, with massive profits going to drug lords and traffickers.

The hearing, held Wednesday in Rabat's parliament building, included testimony about medical and industrial uses of marijuana.

The party hopes to propose legislation by next year.