While there is a serious debate going on about the legality of marijuana cultivation in Nepal, experts have recommended the government for ‘controlled legitimacy’ in production and use of the banned substance.

The Policy Research Institute in collaboration with Nepal Health Research Council conducted a study on 'Legalization of Marijuana Cultivation in Nepal: Possibilities and Challenges' and made this recommendation to the government saying that many countries of the world have adopted this policy.

A team of experts including Dr Manita Kusi, Dr Hari Sharma Neupane, Dr Mukunda Raj Kattel, Advocate Hari Prasad Mainali, Prof Rajendra Gyawali, Dr Prerak Regmi, Pushkar Basyal and others researched and prepared the report for the institute. The report has recommended the government to amend the current laws of the Narcotic Drug Control Act, 2033. The report concluded that it is important to be aware of the "harmful effects" of marijuana products. It is essential to create necessary regulations for its monitoring and to prepare specific methods, structures and human resources to address the social ills caused by its use such as addiction, social violence, etc. The experts have recommended defining marijuana based on its use. The current definition of the Narcotics Drug Control Act makes all varieties of marijuana illegal.

According to this law, as the cultivation and business of marijuana species with less than 0.3 percent tetra-hydro-cannabinol (THC) , whose medicinal and recreational effects are considered insignificant and used for industrial production, is also considered illegal. It is necessary to define marijuana based on the compounds found in marijuana to prevent such a situation in the future. The report suggests that marijuana species with less than 0.3% THC should be allowed for cultivation and business under the name of 'Industrial Cannabis' and those with more than 0.3% THC should be allowed for research and medicinal use with proper regulation according to the principle of 'controlled use'.