KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane pledged to devise regulations at the earliest to expedite a feasibility study and research on the prospects of marijuana cultivation for medical use.
At a meeting of the parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Cooperatives, and Natural Resources today, DPM Lamichhane shared that adequate discussions had been held on this issue and there were no doubts regarding it.
The meeting was convened to discuss the commercial cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purposes, an issue 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 a study and research on cultivating marijuana for medicinal and commercial use.”
He explained that a study committee would be formed within a month to explore the multifaceted aspects of marijuana cultivation, assuring that the social context and monitoring aspects would be considered while devising regulations about the commercial production of marijuana.
DPM Lamichhane reaffirmed that those abusing narcotic drugs and involved in smuggling similar illegal substances would not be exempt from legal actions. Further study into this aspect was underway, he informed.
He added, “Some people are serving time in jail due to ignorance of legal knowledge. Some are involved in the abuse of narcotic drugs and smuggling. We are deeply studying this.”
Committee 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 on this, the Committee will form a sub-committee,” she cautioned.
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