Nepal considers legalizing cannabis

It was a paradise for hippies and cannabis smokers. In the 1960s, hundreds of them flocked to the Himalayan country, drawn by its Hindu culture, mountainous landscapes... and cannabis, which was widely accepted and legal. But since 1976, Nepal has banned the plant, under pressure from U.S. President Richard Nixon.

Now that cannabis is becoming legal again in some countries, Nepal too is thinking about taking the plunge. A bill tabled in Parliament envisages allowing Nepalese to plant up to six cannabis plants at home, without a license. For wider cultivation, MPs are planning a licensing system. The Minister of Health ardently supports this text.

«I'm trying to make legalization a topic in Parliament, because many countries, including the most powerful and developed, have authorized its use.», says Minister Birod Khatiwada in a report by the Associated Press. In his opinion, the final decision «It's up to the government. 

The best hashish in the world

This heavyweight of the ruling coalition in Kathmandu is a member of the Communist Party of Nepal, a political current that has ruled the country for decades. In July, the Social Democrats won the elections. The Prime Minister, a member of the Nepali Congress (center), therefore governs with the Communists. For the time being, partisan quarrels are preventing the text from coming to fruition.

But the pressure is starting to come from the public. Proof with several demonstrations in Kathmandu recently. The movement is led by activist Rajiv Kafle, who was arrested in early September by the police for cannabis consumption. His supporters are calling for his release, and pointing out the incongruity of the situation.

For them, Nepal already allows cannabis in practice. It's not uncommon to see indica plants growing in the valleys, or to come across a store selling cannabis on the streets. If legalized, cannabis will bring in more money for the community.

Indeed, Nepal's ideal climate and local know-how make the country a promised land for cannabis growers. Visit charas, considered the best hashish in the world, comes from the Himalayan mountains.