Kathmandu. The Supreme Court has issued a mandate in the name of the government to arrange the necessary legal arrangements within three months for the controlled commercial cultivation, production and processing of cannabis for medicinal, scientific, agricultural and industrial purposes. The joint bench of Justices Dr. Nahkul Subedi and Til Prasad Shrestha gave this order while hearing the writ filed by advocate Saroj Adhikari.

Even though the Narcotics Control Act, 2033 opened the door to the cultivation, production and use of marijuana under certain conditions, the government was unable to make regulations and procedures for it for almost five decades.

With this decision of the court, the way for cultivation, production, processing, storage and sales distribution under the controlled system for medicinal and industrial purposes allowed by the Act has been opened. However, the Supreme Court has banned the cultivation and use of marijuana completely. The order also said to create an effective regulation and monitoring mechanism to strictly control illegal cultivation and business.