A provincial government in Nepal has legalized the farming and medical use of cannabis, taking a step that runs counter to the national ban on marijuana. The law went into effect Monday after being formally endorsed by the chief of Gandaki province.
Under the new provincial regulations, farmers must obtain official permission to cultivate cannabis and will be subject to close monitoring by authorities. This move by Gandaki, one of Nepal's seven provinces, permits the use of marijuana strictly for medical purposes.
The national legislation still prohibits the farming, possession, and use of marijuana. Possession for personal use can result in a one-month jail sentence, while distribution and sales can lead to up to 10 years in prison, depending on the quantity seized.
Gandaki province, known for its mountains and hiking trails and the popular resort city of Pokhara, is the first to enact such a law. Historically, cannabis has been native to Nepal and has held a significant place in the country's culture and religious practices, particularly during festivals like Shivaratri, where devotees traditionally smoke cannabis.
However, in the late 1970s, Nepal, following international trends, outlawed marijuana, an action that also coincided with a decline in the influx of Western tourists drawn to the country's liberal cannabis culture. Activists in Nepal have been advocating for legal reforms to permit cannabis use.