Comprehensive Review of Phytochemical Studies and Legalization of Cannabis in Morocco

Research on cannabis and its bioactive derivatives, including cannabinoids, non-cannabinoids, and extracts, has significantly increased in recent years due to their potential therapeutic applications as demonstrated by numerous published studies. Although there is evidence of the potential efficacy of cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid compounds from cannabis in the treatment of various diseases and syndromes, further research is required to mitigate the potential damage that could result from the excessive use of cannabinoid products, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), such as psychotropic effects, addiction, cognitive deficits, cardiovascular problems, and impacts on mental health. This review describes phytochemical and biological studies on cannabis grown in Morocco, utilizing databases such as SciFinder, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed to provide updated data on cannabis in Morocco.  The findings of this research aim to enable investors, economic operators, researchers, and policymakers to better understand the current state of cannabis in Morocco, thereby promoting industry growth and cannabis-related innovation. Additionally, this paper includes a brief discussion on the legalization of cannabis in Morocco, highlighting the new opportunities for investment in medical cannabis. This study also underscores that much remains to be explored regarding Moroccan cannabis, from the isolation of bioactive compounds and pre-clinical studies to clinical trials and the mass production of approved cannabis-based medicines. Furthermore, the findings are intended to inform key stakeholders about the current state of cannabis in Morocco, fostering industry growth and innovation.