Is Cannabis / THC legal in Nepal?

Legal status

Cannabis controlled under the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 — consumption up to 1 month/NPR 2,000; possession tiered (≤50 g up to 3 mo … ≥10 kg 2–10 yr); cultivation ≤25 plants up to 3 mo; NO death penalty (max life); [proposed] legalization bill tabled, NOT enacted

Consequences if caught

Cannabis is controlled under Nepal's Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 (1976 AD, amended through 1998). Consumption draws up to 1 month or an NPR 2,000 fine (first-time minor offenders may be bonded; no punishment for a person in recognized treatment, Sec 19A). Possession is tiered: 50 g or less up to 3 months; 50–500 g up to 1 year; 500 g–2 kg up to 2 years; 2–10 kg up to 3 years; 10 kg or more 2–10 years plus a fine (a reported personal-use line is about 5 g cannabis / 2 g hashish). Cultivation: 25 plants or fewer up to 3 months; more than 25 plants 3 months–3 years. [proposed] A cannabis-legalization bill is tabled but NOT enacted — historically cannabis was legal via government shops until 1973. Nepal has NO death penalty (the maximum is life).

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.

Documentation

Nepal has NO death penalty — the maximum drug penalty is life imprisonment (jiban kaidi), under the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 (1976 AD, amended through 1998). Historically cannabis was legal through government shops until 1973; a cannabis-legalization bill is currently tabled but NOT enacted (proposed, not law). Cannabis consumption draws up to 1 month or an NPR 2,000 fine (first-time minor offenders may be released on a bond, and there is no punishment for a person in recognized treatment, Sec 19A). Cannabis possession is tiered: 50 g or less up to 3 months; 50–500 g up to 1 year; 500 g–2 kg up to 2 years; 2–10 kg up to 3 years; 10 kg or more 2–10 years plus a fine (a reported personal-use line is about 5 g cannabis / 2 g hashish). Heroin and cocaine: 5 g or less 2–5 years; 5–100 g 5–10 years; over 100 g or any trafficking 10 years to life plus an NPR 500,000–2,500,000 fine. Cultivation: 25 plants or fewer up to 3 months; more than 25 plants 3 months–3 years. Other hard drugs (methamphetamine/'yaba', MDMA, LSD) are controlled, with trafficking punishable up to life. Foreigners face the same law, no bail, and deportation after sentence. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Nepal’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.