News:2026-08-04/Policy/gandaki-province-enacts-law-licensing-cannabis-cultivation-for-medicinal-and-industrial-use

4 August 2026

Policy

Nepal · Gandaki Province

Gandaki Province enacts law licensing cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial use

Gandaki Province's Bill to Regulate and Utilise Cannabis Cultivation for Medicinal and Industrial Purposes, 2026 was authenticated by Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatta on 4 August 2026 after a second passage through the provincial assembly, which had first passed it on 14 July. The law creates five-year renewable licences for medicinal or industrial cultivation, open to applicants holding owned or leased land of at least two ropani (about 1,018 square metres) inside cultivation zones to be designated by the provincial industry and tourism ministry, with a purchase commitment from a pharmaceutical or manufacturing company. Cannabis must test at or below 0.3 percent THC before harvest, storage, transport, processing or sale. Administrative violations carry fines of Rs50,000 to Rs500,000 while unlicensed cultivation remains criminal under federal narcotics law. The law enters into force on publication in the provincial gazette and licensing awaits implementing regulations. Chief Attorney Chiranjeevi Sharma Paudel said the law was introduced primarily to benefit farmers. Reported by the Kathmandu Post on 7 August 2026.

https://kathmandupost.com/gandaki-province/2026/08/07/inside-gandaki-s-new-cannabis-law-who-can-grow-it-where-and-under-what-rules Source

2026-08-04 Policy Gandaki Province enacts law licensing cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial use Gandaki Province's Bill to Regulate and Utilise Cannabis Cultivation for Medicinal and Industrial Purposes, 2026 was authenticated by Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatta on 4 August 2026 after a second passage through the provincial assembly, which had first passed it on 14 July. The law creates five-year renewable licences for medicinal or industrial cultivation, open to applicants holding owned or leased land of at least two ropani (about 1,018 square metres) inside cultivation zones to be designated by the provincial industry and tourism ministry, with a purchase commitment from a pharmaceutical or manufacturing company. Cannabis must test at or below 0.3 percent THC before harvest, storage, transport, processing or sale. Administrative violations carry fines of Rs50,000 to Rs500,000 while unlicensed cultivation remains criminal under federal narcotics law. The law enters into force on publication in the provincial gazette and licensing awaits implementing regulations. Chief Attorney Chiranjeevi Sharma Paudel said the law was introduced primarily to benefit farmers. Reported by the Kathmandu Post on 7 August 2026. https://kathmandupost.com/gandaki-province/2026/08/07/inside-gandaki-s-new-cannabis-law-who-can-grow-it-where-and-under-what-rules Nepal Gandaki Province 28° 12' 36.00" N, 83° 59' 24.00" E