North Macedonia’s Health Minister, Azir Aliu, announced on February 12 that authorities have begun inspections at all 43 companies licensed to produce medical cannabis.

Speaking at a news conference, Aliu said the move is part of a broader review of policies and procedures in the sector. It follows seizures totalling over 40 tonnes of marijuana. 

The inspections are being conducted by two commissions: one within the Ministry of Health and an interdepartmental body composed of 13 members with wider competences. “The intersectoral commission, led by the Ministry of Health, will manage the process,” Aliu said in a Facebook post.

The crackdown follows a series of seizures and ongoing investigations. Prosecutors confirmed on February 9 that over 40 tonnes of marijuana were confiscated from multiple legal entities across the country.

Earlier, the Ministry of Interior announced that nine tonnes of marijuana and more than 1,300 bottles of cannabis oil were seized from a Skopje company, with a further 31 tonnes taken from businesses in eastern North Macedonia.

The investigation intensified after five tonnes of marijuana originating from North Macedonia were seized in Serbia on January 29. Among those arrested was a Serbian national who co-owns a Skopje-based medical cannabis company, where the drugs were allegedly discovered. Media reports estimate the value of the seized narcotics at €7–10mn.

Police identified the firm as Alphapharm Group. In-depth inspections uncovered significant irregularities, including discrepancies between the recorded and actual quantities of cannabis, leading authorities to fully confiscate the material found on the company’s premises.

Medical cannabis was legalised in North Macedonia in 2016 under strict state supervision, allowing licensed companies to cultivate and process the plant. Authorities say the inspections aim to ensure full compliance with regulations and prevent illegal distribution.