Moroccan government tests cannabis-based molecule as alternative in poultry feed

MOROCCO – Morocco has launched a scientific research program to assess whether a cannabis-derived molecule can be safely and effectively used in poultry feed, a move that signals the country’s latest effort to expand the legal applications of cannabis beyond medical and industrial uses while addressing challenges in modern livestock production.

The initiative was announced by the Moroccan Agency for the Regulation of Activities Related to Cannabis (ANRAC) following the signing of a framework agreement with the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine in Rabat. 

The study will explore whether a molecule derived from cannabis can serve as an alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics in poultry farming, an issue of growing concern globally due to antimicrobial resistance.

According to ANRAC, the agreement aims to establish a structured scientific research program that could eventually result in clear protocols for incorporating the cannabis-based molecule into animal feed. 

The agency said this step is “essential to properly regulate and organise this type of use,” underscoring the government’s intent to keep any new application within a tightly controlled framework.

Focus on gut health and productivity

The 10-month research program will be led by the Veterinary Medicine Department at the Hassan II Institute.

Researchers will examine how the molecule affects poultry gut health, immune system strength, and overall productivity in chicken farming. 

The study also seeks to validate scientific data supporting the adoption of the molecule as an effective alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics, with the broader goal of improving both output levels and the quality of poultry products.

ANRAC said the research is designed to move beyond theory and into practical application, ultimately producing scientifically backed guidance for feed manufacturers and poultry producers. 

The agency noted that the program is intended to ensure that any future use is grounded in evidence and complies with national regulations.

Part of wider cannabis law reforms

The poultry feed study is part of Morocco’s broader cannabis reform agenda, which began in 2021 when parliament passed legislation allowing the legal use of cannabis for medical, cosmetic, and industrial purposes. 

The new legal framework aims to replace decades of informal and illegal production with a regulated market overseen by ANRAC.

Since the law came into effect, the agency has steadily expanded licensing. In 2024, around 3,000 permits were issued for legal cannabis cultivation and production, a sharp increase from just a few hundred licenses granted the previous year. 

These permits were distributed among thousands of farmers, cooperatives, and operators involved in cultivation, processing, and marketing.

The regulated cannabis sector has already seen several licensed products approved for sale, including cosmetic and dietary items. The government has said the legal market can stimulate rural economies, create jobs, and encourage farmers to transition away from illegal activities.

Despite these developments, recreational cannabis use remains illegal in Morocco. Some critics have also warned that expanded regulation could still fuel illegal cultivation and trafficking if oversight is not sufficiently robust, a concern the authorities say they are addressing through tighter controls and scientific validation of new uses.

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