Draft law to allow Marijuana to be used as medicine

KATHMANDU: FEB. 24 – The government has drafted legislation that would allow the use of Marijuana as a medicine. The Marijuana and Marijuana Products (Regulation) Bill 2078 has been prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to Gokarna Prasad Upadhyaya, Deputy Chief Secretary of the Ministry’s Drug Control Branch, the bill was prepared and sent to Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand on Tuesday for a ministerial decision.

According to Upadhyaya, the bill addresses Marijuana production, collection, sale, distribution, and export. The Home Ministry is preparing to put the bill into effect as soon as the law is passed.

Once the bill becomes law, the ban on Marijuana use imposed by the Drug Control Act 2033 will be lifted. “The ban on Marijuana use imposed by the Drug Control Act 2033 will be lifted once the bill becomes law,” said Upadhyaya.

The Ministry’s Home Administration Reform Action Plan, which was made public a few days ago, stated that the procedure for the medicinal use of marijuana would be decided. The ministry has stated that it is planning to develop operational procedures based on the bill once it becomes law.

The ministry also stated that Kathmandu University is seeking permission from the home administration to conduct Marijuana research and that many associations and firms are planning to cultivate Marijuana.