[2] In the early 1800s, commentator Francis Buchanan-Hamilton noted: In Nepal, the Gangja, Charas, or Cannabis sativa, as mentioned, is a common weed: but in that country, it is not cultivated, although much used for intoxication.

[4] In 1973, Nepal canceled the licenses of all cannabis shops, dealers, and farmers, under pressure from the United States and the international community.

[2] Nepal enacts Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 (1976) on 22 September 1976 prohibiting the cultivation, production, preparation, purchasing, selling, distributing, exporting or importing, conduct any trafficking, storage of, or consumption of cannabis.

However, the prohibition of the Act is not to be applied to the Government of Nepal or any institution working under the full and complete supervision and control of the Government of Nepal after obtaining a special license for cultivating, preparation, producing, manufacturing, exporting, or importing narcotic drugs for the purposes of medicine or scientific research or from selling narcotic drugs to any person on the recommendation of a recognized medical practitioner.

The Government of Nepal may frame Rules regulating the production of hashish (chares) from wild cannabis/marijuana plants growing in the western hilly region of Nepal and the collection, storage, sale, and purchase of such hashish (chares) for a specified period.

On the day of Mahashivaratri, officials historically tolerated cannabis use, but starting around 2018, police said they would arrest festival observers found smoking in public places during shivaratri.