Pokhara, Aug. 3 -- A controversial bill seeking to regulate the cultivation and use of marijuana for medicinal and industrial purposes in Gandaki Province has finally become law after Province Chief Dilli Raj Bhatta authenticated it on Monday, ending weeks of constitutional debate over the legislation.

Bhatta authenticated the Bill to Regulate and Utilise Marijuana Cultivation for Medicinal and Industrial Purposes after the Gandaki Provincial Assembly endorsed it for a second time without any amendments. The authentication was carried out under article 201 (4) of Nepal's Constitution, which requires a province chief to authenticate a bill returned for reconsideration once it has been reapproved by the provincial legislature.

The bill ha...