March 16, 2021 at 10:50 am
Morocco s Abdelilah Benkirane has recently announced that he is freezing his membership of the Justice and Development Party in protest against the government s adoption of a bill to legalise the use of cannabis for medical purposes. He is a former secretary general of the party, so it is a significant move.
The Justice and Development Party is the main Islamic party in Morocco and has been leading coalition governments since 2012. After almost a decade in power, the party has recorded few achievements on the political, economic and security fronts.
Prior to Benkirane s decision, Sheikh Abou Zayd Al-Mokri Al-Idrissi had also announced that he was freezing his membership of the party, and Idris Al-Azmi resigned as head of its National Council. Many senior officials and members of the party have criticised its policies, mainly those introduced by its current Secretary General, Saadeddine Othmani, in his capacity as prime minister, including his signing o
Friday, 12 March, 2021 - 09:15
A farmer guards his plantation of cannabis in Morocco. Reuters file photo Rabat - Asharq Al-Awsat
Morocco’s government ratified Thursday a draft law to legalize the medical use of cannabis. Parliament, however, still needs to give its final approval to the legislation.
The draft law calls for the creation of a national agency to regulate the industry, and for the establishment of cooperatives that would grow “certified” cannabis plants.
The move would “reconvert illicit” cannabis plantations into “legal and durable activities that generate jobs”, according to the text of the draft legislation.
The vote over the issue had been delayed on two separate occasions due to the controversy surrounding it.
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Jockeying for leadership reveals divisions within Morocco’s JDP
Local observers say that Benkirane wants to use the bill on the use of cannabis to exert political pressure on Othmani and other party leaders.
Tuesday 02/03/2021
A file picture of Abdelilah Benkirane, former secretary-general of the Moroccan Justice and Development Party (JDP). (AP)
RABAT – Abdelilah Benkirane, former secretary-general of the Moroccan Justice and Development Party (JDP) threatened Monday to resign from the party if its deputies approve a bill to authorise cannabis use.
Benkirane’s move is yet another escalation that reflects a serious crisis within the Islamist party and disagreements between the former secretary-general and Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani, who has been under great pressure from Benkirane’s supporters.