Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane pledged to devise regulations at earliest so as to expedite feasibility study and research on the prospects of marijuana cultivate 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 was no any doubts regarding it.
The meeting was summoned to discuss foe commercial cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purpose, 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 study and research on cultivating marijuana for the medicinal and commercial use."
He explained that a study committee would be formed within month to study on marijuana on the multifaceted way, assuring to take into account the social context and monitoring aspect while devising regulations about commercial production of marijuana.
DPM Lamichhane reaffirmed that those abusing narcotic drugs and involved in smuggling of similar illegal substances would not be exempted from legal actions. Further study into this aspect was underway, he informed.
He added, "Some people are doing times in jail due to ignorance of legal knowledge. Some are involved in abuse of narcotic drugs and its smuggling. We are deeply studying this."
Committee's President Dr Arzoo Rana Deuba welcomed DPM Lamichhane's commitment and said that the Committee provided time to devise regulations by coming mid-August.
"If the Ministry of Home Affairs fails to accelerate works towards this, the Committee will form sub-committee," she cautioned.
