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Morocco’s Parliament Approves Law to Legalize Medical Use of Cannabis

Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani (MAP)
Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani (MAP)
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Morocco’s Parliament Approves Law to Legalize Medical Use of Cannabis

Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani (MAP)
Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani (MAP)

Moroccan lawmakers on Wednesday approved a law legalizing the therapeutic use of cannabis.

The parliament’s lower house adopted the text on the lawful use of cannabis in the medical, cosmetic and industrial sectors with 119 votes to 48. The upper house now needs to vote on the bill before it is ratified.

MPs from the ruling Justice and Development Party (PJD), who opposed the law, sparked political controversy.

PJD lawmaker Mostafa Brahimi said his party has rejected the law “with full transparency and independence.”

He pointed out that the therapeutic use of the cannabis is “unconfirmed” yet, adding that the studies carried out in this regard were “few and their results are not final.”

He criticized the urgency in approving the law, but the opposition slammed PJD’s vote.

MP Abdullatif Wehbi of the opposition Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) deemed the PJD team’s voting absurd, especially that its secretary-general is the one who approved the law in the first place.

MP Nour Eddine Madian of the opposition Independence Party (Istiqlal party) described voting on the bill as a historic moment and a milestone for a major transformation in the economic, social and psychological life of residents in areas that cultivate this plant.

Secretary-General of the opposition Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) Nabil Benabdallah also slammed the PJD’s voting against the law.

What happened is “unacceptable constitutionally, politically and democratically,” he stressed on Facebook.

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US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
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US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)

The US State Department’s designation of Yemen’s Houthi militias as a “foreign terrorist organization” has been welcomed by the legitimate Yemeni government, but has triggered UN concerns over its impact on humanitarian access, with the international body calling for “guarantees.”

While Yemeni reports suggest the designation could economically strangle the Iran-backed Houthis, fears are mounting that the move may push them to derail the fragile truce, resume the war against the government, and escalate attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis.

It renewed its call for the international community to take similar steps to dry up the militias' funding, arms supplies, and to strengthen efforts aimed at restoring stability and peace in Yemen.

In a statement, Yemen’s Foreign Ministry stressed that the country has long suffered from the ravages of war and Iranian interference.

It called the US designation a reinforcement of its partnership with the United States and its allies in the fight against terrorism, hoping it will help curb activities that threaten the security of its citizens, the region, and global maritime trade.

The statement also affirmed Yemen's readiness to cooperate fully with international partners to ensure the effective implementation of the designation, aiming to serve the interests of the Yemeni people and promote peace and security in the region.

Amid concerns over the impact of the US designation on humanitarian efforts in Houthi-controlled areas, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called for US guarantees.

During a press briefing, he emphasized that the designation should be accompanied by “appropriate assurances” to ensure effective humanitarian aid delivery and to allow civilians access to essential goods and services.

Dujarric also highlighted the UN’s focus on humanitarian response in Yemen, where nearly 19 million people require life-saving assistance, and 17 million are at risk of famine.

He stressed the importance of maintaining the role of the private sector in securing basic needs.

Dujarric cautioned that any disruption in the flow of commercial goods and humanitarian aid could have catastrophic consequences, particularly in a country that relies on imports for around 90% of its food supply.