Home ministry bringing laws for cultivation, research on cannabis

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane has expressed commitment to formulating necessary regulations to facilitate studies and research on the feasibility of cannabis cultivation.

Speaking at the meeting of the Agriculture, Cooperative, and Natural Resources Committee of the House of Representatives on Friday, Minister Lamichhane stated that the government would soon introduce regulations to study and research cannabis cultivation for medicinal and commercial purposes. “Beyond these two aspects, we plan to establish a study committee within a month to conduct a multi-dimensional study on cannabis,” he added.

Lamichhane emphasized that the government will consider social context and regulatory aspects while drafting cannabis-related laws.

Meanwhile, Lamichhane also mentioned that the home ministry is conducting a study to differentiate between individuals trapped in drug addiction and those involved in drug trafficking. “Some are imprisoned due to a lack of legal awareness. Others are involved due to addiction and become engaged in trafficking out of ignorance. We are conducting an in-depth study on this issue as well,” Lamichhane noted.

Committee Chairperson Dr. Arju Rana Deuba directed the home ministry to draft regulations by the second month of the current fiscal year, i.e., mid-September. “If the home ministry does not proceed with the work within that period, the committee will form a sub-committee. We will inform the home and finance ministries about the points raised in the discussion,” she added.