KATHMANDU, Jan 31: As many as four dozen lawmakers from the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) have registered a motion of public importance in the parliament demanding that marijuana cultivation be legalized in the country.

They have argued that marijuana cultivation would be helpful in boosting the country’s economy adding that it has medicinal uses. The motion also reads that marijuana could earn the country foreign currency and boost the farmers’ income. The motion was proposed by lawmaker Birodh Khatiwada and 47 lawmakers have seconded the proposal.

Nepal has banned the farming, production and trade of marijuana and cannabis since 1973 listing it under the drugs following pressure from Western countries. According to officials Kathmandu used to be popular destination for western hippies for consumption of marijuana in the 1960s until the government banned it.

NCP lawmakers have claimed that over 65 countries in all five continents including USA, Canada, and Germany who had led the movements for banning marijuana in the 1970s, have already legalized it.

The signatories in the motion are among former ministers and influential leaders of the party including Janardan Sharma, Pampha Bhusal and former speaker Onsari Gharti and former deputy speaker Purna Kumari Subedi among others.

 
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