A controversial bill seeking to regulate the cultivation and use of marijuana for medicinal and industrial purposes in Gandaki Province has finally become law after Province Chief Dilli Raj Bhatta authenticated it on Monday, ending weeks of constitutional debate over the legislation.

Bhatta authenticated the Bill to Regulate and Utilise Marijuana Cultivation for Medicinal and Industrial Purposes after the Gandaki Provincial Assembly endorsed it for a second time without any amendments. The authentication was carried out under article 201 (4) of Nepal’s Constitution, which requires a province chief to authenticate a bill returned for reconsideration once it has been reapproved by the provincial legislature.

The bill had first been passed by the Provincial Assembly on July 9 and forwarded for authentication on July 14. However, on July 24, Bhatta returned it to the assembly with a three-point message, arguing that some provisions contradicted federal laws, including the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 1976, and raised concerns over provincial jurisdiction and coordination with local governments.

It was the first time in the history of the Gandaki provincial assembly that a province chief had returned a bill for reconsideration.

The assembly, however, rejected those concerns. During a meeting on Friday, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism Yasoda Rimal tabled the proposal to reconsider the bill. Following a brief discussion, assembly members from both the ruling coalition and the opposition parties unanimously passed the legislation again in its original form.

Speaking in the assembly, several members argued that article 304(1) of the constitution allows provincial laws enacted under the province’s exclusive powers to prevail, even if they conflict with older federal legislation, after the constitutionally specified transition period.

According to Prabin Paudel, spokesperson for the Office of the Province Chief, the bill was re-submitted on July 31 and authenticated three days later, well within the 15-day constitutional deadline.

With the bill now in force, Gandaki Province has established a legal framework to regulate marijuana cultivation for medicinal and industrial use, with the stated aim of promoting its lawful utilisation, increasing farmers' incomes and encouraging investment in medicinal and industrial processing.