What are the drug laws for tourists in Chefchaouen?

Cannabis is illegal in Morocco, including in and around Chefchaouen despite the region’s famous kif cultivation, and tourists caught buying, using or carrying it can face arrest, fines or worse. The fact that it grows openly in the Rif does not make it legal for you to possess.

Tourists are sometimes targeted with offers to buy, which can be a set-up leading to demands for money or trouble with the police, so declining firmly is the safe move. Being a foreigner offers no protection, and drug offences are taken seriously.

A recent law permits cannabis cultivation for regulated medical and industrial use, but that does not extend to recreational sale or tourist use. Enjoy Chefchaouen for its blue streets and mountain setting, and steer well clear of drug offers.