PAM Secretary General, Abdellatif Ouahbi, stated that PDJ’s opposition to the bill on the legal use of cannabis represents a constitutional breach.
How is it possible for PJD representatives to oppose a law that was presented to the parliament by a government headed by that same party, Ouahbi wondered during his intervention at the Chamber of Representatives.
“It is quite controversial to make a certain decision, and then oppose that same decision completely once presented before the parliament”, PAM deputy stressed, “for real democracy means abiding to procedures and commitments”, he added.
“While opposing the bill on cannabis, you seem to have completely forgotten that the law in question was in fact decided upon by the head of the government, who is also your party leader”, Ouahbi replied to PJD deputies upon interrupting his intervention.
Ouahbi has also underlined that PAM deputies in particular and of the opposition in general, are committed to express their positions and assume their missions with regard to the law presented by the head of government in respect of the constitutional procedures in force, as well as the state institutions.
+ The situation of about 500.000 people is to be regulated, if legal proceedings are to be avoided +
Returning to the heart of the matter, PAM Secretary General reaffirmed his plea for the prosecution of cannabis farmers to be dropped.
“We are required to regularize the situation of over 500.000 people, if we are keen on avoiding legal proceedings”, Ouahbi revealed, noting that the problem at hand is not linked to neither political quarrels nor the elections, for it is a question of dignity for Moroccan people”.
Moroccan citizens constitute the heart of this law; therefore, the people of Rif must be heard and the proceedings against them are to be cancelled, Ouahbi insisted, specifying that the security approach is no more “viable” and that “it has reached its limits”.
“Legal, human and social solutions alone shall solve humanitarian and economic issues”, Ouahbi said, inviting the government to make investments in the Rif region as to promote the cultivation of cannabis and create jobs.
PAM deputy also called on the Minister of Interior to find a “quick” solution to the problem of prosecutions against the people of Rif, by adopting a humanist approach similar to that of HM King Mohammed VI, who tended to pardon several Hirak Rif detainees.
+ The drug lords are the primary beneficiaries of cannabis cultivation +
“Drug lords are the ones benefiting the most from cannabis cultivation”, Ouahbi indicated, noting that small farmers get sentenced to long years in prison upon pocketing small amounts of money”.
“The barons stand together against this project and have made lobbying attempts to prevent its adoption”, unlike the poor farmers “who have come here to support it and demand its rapid adoption”, he added.
On this occasion, Ouahbi praised the head of government, Saadeddine Othmani, for his “courage” upon presenting this project against the advice of his fellow PJD members, in the same way he agreed to signing an agreement with the United States and Israel”.
“History will remember these courageous acts and will do justice to Othmani, even if he is let go by his comrades,” Ouahbi stated.
In conclusion, PAM SG declared that – in addition to the motion of censure – the Constitution provides other levers and offers several means for the opposition to control government action.