3 weeks ago
Nepal's Gandaki province allows medical marijuana cultivation despite national ban
In Nepal, growing or using marijuana is against the law.
But one part of Nepal, called Gandaki province, just said yes to a new rule.
This new rule lets people grow cannabis and use it for medicine.
The leaders in Gandaki voted for it, and everyone agreed.
Gandaki is next to a part of India called Bihar.
The border there is at a place called Valmikinagar, which is a tiger reserve.
Even though Gandaki says yes, the national law of Nepal still says no.
If someone is caught with marijuana for themselves, they could go to jail for one month.
If someone sells or gives it to others, they could go to jail for up to ten years.
Cannabis actually grows naturally in Nepal and was used at festivals long ago.
Nepal's Gandaki province has endorsed a controversial bill allowing the cultivation and medical use of cannabis.
The province assembly unanimously passed the bill with support from ruling coalition and opposition party members.
Gandaki borders Bihar's West Champaran district at Valmikinagar, which is a tiger reserve area.
Nepal's national law still prohibits the cultivation, possession, and use of marijuana.
Cannabis is native to Nepal, was outlawed in the late 1970s, and possession for personal use can still bring jail time.
- Who
- The chief of Nepal's Gandaki province and the province assembly, whose members from both ruling coalition and opposition parties unanimously passed the bill.
- What
- A controversial bill allowing the cultivation and medical use of cannabis was endorsed.
- Where
- Nepal's Gandaki province, which borders Bihar's West Champaran district at Valmikinagar.
- When
- The article does not specify the date of the endorsement.
- Why
- To allow the cultivation and medical use of cannabis in Gandaki, despite Nepal's national prohibition on marijuana.
Key facts
- Province
- Gandaki, Nepal (one of seven provinces)
- Bill status
- Endorsed by province chief; unanimously passed by province assembly
- National law
- Marijuana cultivation, possession, and use still prohibited
- Penalty for personal possession
- Up to one month in jail
- Penalty for distribution/sale
- Up to 10 years' imprisonment, depending on amount
- Neighboring Indian district
- West Champaran, Bihar (border at Valmikinagar, a tiger reserve area)
- Notable city
- Pokhara, a resort city in Gandaki
- Cannabis history
- Native to Nepal; used in festivals; outlawed in the late 1970s










