Pokhara [Nepal], July 12- Nepal’s Gandaki Province Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a bill legalising the cultivation of marijuana for medicinal and industrial purposes under a regulated framework becoming the first province in the country to establish a legal mechanism for cannabis farming.
The legislation, titled the ‘Bill related to management of regulation of marijuana farming for medicinal and industrial purposes’ was presented by Gandaki Province Minister for Industry and Tourism Yasodha Rimal after undergoing review and amendments by the Provincial Assembly’s Finance and Development Committee.
Assembly Speaker Krishna Prasad Dhital announced the bill’s passage after lawmakers unanimously endorsed all 28 proposed amendments.
Under the new law, marijuana cultivation will be permitted only in areas designated by the provincial government and under strict official supervision. Individuals and organisations must obtain prior approval before cultivation, while cannabis products will undergo mandatory chemical testing before sale or use. The law also requires tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content to remain below three percent.
Addressing the Assembly, Minister Rimal said Gandaki Province’s geography and climate are well suited for cannabis cultivation. She said the crop requires comparatively less water and labour, can be grown organically without pesticides it is also resilient to climate change and could help utilise abandoned farmland across the province’s 11 districts.
The legislation also includes provisions for preventing marijuana abuse as well as treatment and rehabilitation services.
Nepal banned the personal use and sale of marijuana in 1976, with cannabis related offences carrying prison terms ranging from one month to 10 years depending on the quantity involved. While the federal government has explored regulating limited cannabis use a nationwide legal framework has yet to be introduced.
