Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Morocco law
Cannabis laws in Essaouira follow Morocco’s national law. The rules here are set by the broader jurisdiction, and city-level differences are uncommon.
Recreational cannabis is illegal. Medical and industrial cannabis use is legal under strict government regulation. Unauthorized possession or use carries legal risk.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Legal under regulation
- Possession: Legal only for authorized medical/industrial purposes
- Buying/Selling: Restricted to regulated channels
- Tourists: No recreational access; medical limited
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
Keep it discreet. I wouldn’t smoke openly, including on the beach.
Where to Buy Marijuana
With work scarce, there were young men wandering around looking for something to do. Some offered to guide you around town and knew where to find hash, even if that wasn’t what they opened with.
Marijuana Prices
A dollar or two a gram. That was more than in the Rif. Sellers were quick to say it cost them bribes to bring shipments down from the mountains.
Types of Marijuana
Southern Moroccan hash tended to be cheap and fairly low-grade. I worried some was cut with henna. At worst it was what British smokers call soap bar. It could pay to ask about the stuff the seller kept to smoke himself. There was nice hash around, just not usually up to Rif standards.
More Information
Essaouira was changing from a faded hippie hangout into a Moroccan Riviera town, with more middle-aged, middle-class visitors from Europe. It’s a windsurfing hub with constant wind and relatively sheltered seas.
Hendrix, Cat Stevens and Orson Welles were among the names linked to the town. The annual Moroccan music festival sounded spectacular. Even with the gentrification, it was still a lovely place to be.
Down the coast toward Agadir, Taghazout was the board-surfing capital and an overwintering spot for European caravanners. Pleasant enough, if a bit dull unless you’re into “surfing, drinking cheap spirits and wife swapping.” The surf crowd kept hash and other drugs circulating. We saw some pretty poor opium there.