On 24 July 2026 Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatta returned Gandaki's cannabis bill without signing it, saying it conflicted with the Constitution, the 1976 Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act and Nepal's treaty obligations. He argued that only the federal government could permit medicinal cannabis production and that a province could not create its own licensing regime. The assembly rejected the message, re-passed the bill unchanged on 31 July and sent it back; Bhatta authenticated it on 3 August.[1][2]
Listed for context. No score change is recorded for Nepal here.
References
- Nepalnews — Gandaki province chief withdraws marijuana bill saying it conflicts with the constitution (25 July 2026)Opening paragraphs and the province chief's legal argument
- Kathmandu Post — Gandaki pushes marijuana law through despite federal law concerns (3 August 2026)Return on 24 July, re-pass on 31 July and authentication on 3 August
Checked. The date and the event were compared with a source that was read.