Gandaki Province CM pushes for cannabis, alcohol laws to boost economy

Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey has formally requested the federal government's backing for provincial laws concerning domestic alcohol and cannabis cultivation. Pandey met with Prime Minister Balen Shah to advocate for the implementation of Gandaki's regulations and seek support for development initiatives.

The provincial government has already drafted rules for domestic alcohol production and is seeking authority from the federal government to establish related industries and set excise duty rates. Since assuming office, Pandey has consistently pushed for the legalization of both domestic alcohol and cannabis, viewing them as potential economic opportunities for the region.

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It became clear that cannabis could be brought within a legal framework through a regulatory body and used not as a narcotic, but for medicinal and industrial purposes.

Gandaki has enacted legislation permitting cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes, aiming to increase revenue and improve livelihoods. Pandey explained that the move stems from growing interest in legalizing cannabis, its historical cultivation in Nepal, and its potential benefits for the rural economy. He has seen examples of cannabis-based products like clothing, cosmetics, and medicinal oils, and even textiles for hotels.

Pandey highlighted the significant rural-to-urban and international migration from Nepal as a key problem his government is trying to address. He believes that bringing cannabis under a legal framework, managed by a regulatory body, can help create economic opportunities and curb this migration. The province's efforts are also seen by some as a deliberate attempt to pressure Kathmandu to enact its own corresponding laws.

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Meanwhile, Nepal is facing a serious problem of people moving from villages to cities and then from cities abroad.