Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane pledged to devise regulations as soon as possible so as to expedite feasibility studies and research on the prospects of marijuana cultivation for medical use.
At the meeting of the parliamentary Committee of Agriculture, Cooperatives, and Natural Resources today, DPM Lamichhane shared that adequate discussions were held on this issue and there were no doubts regarding it.
The meeting was summoned to discuss the commercial cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purposes; the issue has been included in the newly unveiled budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2024–25.
He reiterated, “We are formulating necessary regulations at the earliest to conduct studies and research on cultivating marijuana for medicinal and commercial use.”
He explained that a study committee would be formed within a month to study marijuana in a multifaceted way, taking into account the social context and monitoring aspects while devising regulations about the commercial production of marijuana.
DPM Lamichhane reaffirmed that those abusing narcotic drugs and involved in the smuggling of similar illegal substances would not be exempted from legal action. Further study into this aspect was underway, he informed.
He added, “Some people are doing time in jail due to ignorance of legal knowledge. Some are involved in the abuse of narcotic drugs and their smuggling. We are deeply studying this.”
The Committee’s President, Dr. Arzoo Rana Deuba, welcomed DPM Lamichhane’s commitment and said that the Committee provided time to devise regulations by mid-August.
“If the Ministry of Home Affairs fails to accelerate work towards this, the Committee will form a subcommittee,” she cautioned.
