Though the exact time period when cannabis was first used as a psychoactive drug isn’t clear, evidence shows the plant was used for materials such as rope as far back as the final stages of the Stone Age, between 10,000 and 2,000 B.C. Between 1530 and 1545, cannabis was introduced to the New World by Spanish merchants. The plant grew in popularity due to its wide range of uses, including materials like rope, as well as its medicinal and psychoactive properties. By the 20th century, coinciding with the global War on Drugs, most countries had banned and criminalized the use of cannabis.

Today, backed by years of dedicated research, cannabis laws are changing. Currently, nearly half of the world’s nations have legalized cannabis to some degree. In the U.S., of the 50 states, medicinal marijuana has been legalized in 30, while 24 have legalized it recreationally. As of 2021, the global cannabis market was valued at $25.7 billion and is expected to reach $148.9 billion by 2031. According to statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Morocco is the largest grower of cannabis in the world, with more than 70,000 hectares of land dedicated to cannabis ventures. Though Morocco produces the largest amount of cannabis and its use is generally tolerated, recreational cannabis use remains illegal in the country.

Recognizing the significant economic impact of the cannabis industry, the Moroccan government passed a law in 2021 legalizing the growth of the plant to protect farmers and formally benefit the country’s economic standing. To streamline Morocco’s cannabis industry, the government established the National Agency for the Regulation of Activities Related to Cannabis (ANRAC) to oversee all aspects of the cannabis industry, including permits, growth strategies, manufacturing, and exporting practices. Recently, ANRAC announced the implementation of a first-of-its-kind drone program to monitor cannabis growth.

The agency has partnered with Wingtra to conduct the drone project. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Wingtra was founded by Maximilian Boosfeld and Elias Kleimann in 2017. The company has become recognized worldwide for its innovative VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drone design. VTOL drones tend to have longer flight times than multirotor drones or fixed-wing drones, which need to be launched. Additionally, VTOL drones are not restricted by space or terrain constraints for launching and landing. The WingtraOne is a lightweight, easy-to-use, energy-efficient drone with high imaging capabilities. It has a 4ft 11in wingspan and a maximum payload capacity of 10 lbs. The drone has a flight time of just under one hour and can cover up to 110 hectares during that time. In comparison, a standard multirotor drone has a flight time of 30 to 40 minutes and can cover approximately 10 to 30 hectares per flight.

ANRAC has purchased three WingtraOne drones to be used at cannabis farms in the regions of Taounate, Hoceima, and Chefchaouen. Currently, ANRAC is overseeing the training and licensing of drone pilots to conduct these surveys. Once a team of drone pilots and research analysts is in place, the drone surveys will begin in Taounate before progressing to Hoceima and Chefchaouen. The drones will be used to provide security for farmers as well as collect critical crop data. Morocco hopes to digitize its cannabis industry, allowing it to thrive with minimal costs. The country foresees drones being a major contributor to this effort. The data collected by the drones will provide ANRAC with a blueprint for everything from crop health, hydration levels, and germination, to cultivation and manufacturing schedules, and much more. The data gathered from these three regions will then be used to establish further drone programs at cannabis farms throughout the country.

The cannabis industry has come a long way since the War on Drugs, and these changes continue to accelerate as nations around the world embrace the benefits of both medicinal and recreational cannabis. As Morocco takes steps toward modernizing and regulating its cannabis sector, the integration of technologies like drones signals a promising future for both the country’s economy and the global cannabis market. By leveraging cutting-edge innovations such as the WingtraOne, Morocco is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable cannabis cultivation while ensuring security, efficiency, and transparency. As the industry evolves, technology will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cannabis production, not just in Morocco, but worldwide.

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