POKHARA: The Gandaki Province government has taken a significant step toward legalizing cannabis cultivation and traditional homemade alcohol, advancing a long-standing national debate with legislative action aimed at regulation and economic development.
The provincial government has begun drafting laws to allow cannabis cultivation for industrial and medicinal purposes. This initiative follows the announcement made in its annual policy and program to provide legal recognition to both cannabis farming and homemade alcohol.
According to Ramji Danai, Secretary at the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division of the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, initial discussions on the draft bill have already taken place.
“We’ve completed the first round of consultation with the Chief Minister and relevant stakeholders. The bill will go through further revision,” said Danai. He clarified that the law is intended strictly for non-recreational use, with cannabis allowed only for medicinal and industrial production.
Participants in the discussion included provincial ministers, lawmakers, political party leaders, and members of the Nepal Law Society. There was a unanimous agreement on the need to legally permit cannabis cultivation.
The proposed bill includes strict provisions and will not contradict federal laws related to narcotics. It proposes nine categories of licenses, ranging from Rs 5,000 for individuals to up to Rs 150 million for companies involved in import-export and commercial trade. Final approval authority will rest with the Chief Minister’s Office, and Cannabis Regulation Board will be established to oversee implementation.
Unauthorized cultivation, transport, or sale of cannabis will be strictly prohibited. While advertisements for cannabis products will not be allowed, those for industrial products such as hemp clothing, oil, and construction materials will be permitted.
In parallel, the province is also moving to legalize and regulate traditional homemade alcohol, a product deeply rooted in indigenous culture and widely consumed despite being officially prohibited under current federal law. A separate bill has already passed the relevant parliamentary committee and awaits clause-wise discussion in the provincial assembly.
Minister for Industry and Tourism Mitralal Basyal said the legislation aims to facilitate branding, ensure quality, and allow commercial production under defined standards. “We will regulate the homemade alcohol sector in a way that supports traditional practices while ensuring safety and quality,” he said.
While a past Supreme Court decision allows families to produce up to 30 liters of alcohol annually for ritual purposes, commercial production and sale remain illegal. The new bill proposes a legal limit of 50 liters annually for religious, cultural, or personal use without requiring a license. However, individuals, firms, or cooperatives seeking to produce for commercial purposes will need to register and acquire licenses.
The proposed legislation outlines standards for ingredients and production processes. It allows alcohol production from traditional grains and fruits including millet, buckwheat, barley, corn, apples, oranges, apricots, litchis, and more.
Basyal said the legislation will not only preserve cultural traditions but also bring significant economic benefits. A recent study by Gandaki University helped standardize the quality of “marchaa” (a fermentation agent), laying the groundwork for safe and scalable production.
Provincial Assembly Member Resham Bahadur Jugjali echoed this sentiment, stating that legalizing traditional alcohol would boost the local economy and support cultural preservation. “It’s not just about business—it’s about recognizing our heritage,” he said.
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