Gandaki Province legalizes medical cannabis farming

The Gandaki provincial government in Nepal has officially legalized the cultivation and use of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. The legislation, which took effect this week, establishes a legal framework for regulated farming, requiring practitioners to obtain official provincial approval before beginning operations.

This move makes Gandaki the first province in Nepal to introduce such a measure, though it exists in tension with national laws. At the federal level, cannabis cultivation, possession, and distribution remain prohibited, with penalties ranging from one month to ten years in prison. While the provincial assembly approved the bill unanimously, it was briefly returned by Province Chief Dilli Raj Bhatta due to concerns regarding potential contradictions with federal statutes before being re-authenticated.

Supporters of the measure argue that modernizing cannabis laws could boost the economy by utilizing the plant for medicine, clothing, paper, and construction materials. The legislation specifically targets medical and industrial use and does not legalize recreational marijuana.