Nepal Province Unanimously Approves Medical Cannabis Measure
In recent days, lawmakers in the Gandaki Province Assembly unanimously approved a measure that legalizes cannabis cultivation for medical and industrial uses. The Gandaki Province is one of the seven federal provinces established by the current constitution of Nepal.
“Krishna Prasad Dhital, speaker of the Gandaki provincial assembly, declared Thursday that the bill was passed with unanimity in the 21st meeting of the 10th session of the provincial assembly.” Rising Nepal Daily reported in its local coverage. “With the law, farming of marijuana for medicinal and industrial goods production has been opened in Gandaki.”
“With the legislation, marijuana cultivation for medicinal and industrial goods production has been permitted in Gandaki Province under a regulated framework. However, cultivation will only be allowed in areas designated by the provincial government, subject to prior approval and strict official supervision.” reported AsiaNetNews.
Last month, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Parasmani Gelal issued public comments calling for Nepal’s government to modernize its cannabis laws and regulations to permit cannabis industry activity to boost the country’s economy.
“Marijuana should not be seen only as a narcotic substance and intoxication. It can also be used as a raw material for medicine, clothing, paper, oil, bioplastics, and construction materials. Many countries around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, China, and India, are building economies worth billions through scientific and systematic management.” MP Gelal stated at the time.
During the Shivaratri festival in Nepal, one of the nation’s largest annual Hindu festivals, it is common for people to be seen consuming cannabis despite cannabis being illegal in Nepal since 1976. Cannabis possession and use are prohibited in Nepal and can result in incarceration, with people caught trafficking cannabis receiving much harsher prison sentences.
Nepal’s economy is heavily dependent on the national agricultural sector, which is estimated to employ roughly two-thirds of the population and generate around one-third of Nepal’s GDP. Nepal’s nominal GDP ranks 99th globally among all world economies. The nation has a long and rich history with the cannabis plant, and it deserves to take its rightful place in the emerging international cannabis industry.
