Gandaki Province has approved a law allowing licensed cultivation and medical use of cannabis, effective Monday after endorsement by the provincial chief. Farmers must obtain provincial permission and will face monitoring under the new rules. The measure creates a legal contrast with national law, which still bans marijuana and imposes penalties ranging from one month in jail for personal possession to up to 10 years for distribution. Cannabis remains culturally significant in Nepal and is commonly tolerated during festivals such as Shivaratri.
Gandaki Province Legalizes Medical Cannabis Farming Despite National Ban
FILE- In this March 11, 2021, file photo, a Hindu holy man smokes marijuana in the courtyard of Pashupatinath temple during Shivratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha, File)
A provincial government in Nepal’s Gandaki Province has legalized the cultivation and medical use of cannabis, creating a legal divergence with existing national law. The measure took effect Monday after being endorsed by the Chief of Gandaki Province, officials said.
Prabin Poudyal, spokesman for the Office of the Chief of Gandaki Province, said the new provincial rules permit licensed farming and medical use of cannabis. Under the law, farmers must obtain official permission from provincial authorities and will be subject to close monitoring and regulatory oversight.
Conflict With National Law
The provincial move comes despite a national prohibition that still outlaws the farming, possession and recreational use of marijuana. Under national law, possession for personal use can lead to up to one month in jail, while distribution and sales carry penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment depending on the amount seized. The provincial law does not override national statutes, and the legal tension could prompt review or challenge at the national level.
Historical And Cultural Context
Cannabis is native to Nepal and has long played a role in some religious and cultural practices. It was once widely embedded in Nepalese culture but was outlawed in the late 1970s, a change that coincided with the departure of foreign visitors often associated with the hippie era. Activists have campaigned for reform for years, arguing for regulated medical use and economic opportunities for farmers.
Gandaki Province, one of Nepal’s seven provinces and home to the resort city of Pokhara and popular Himalayan trekking routes, passed the law amid ongoing national restrictions. During the annual Shivaratri festival each spring, devotees traditionally consume cannabis at some temples dedicated to Lord Shiva; authorities often tolerate this practice during the celebration.
Note: This provincial measure is limited to Gandaki and focuses on licensed medical cultivation and use; national legislation remains unchanged.
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