How to Buy Weed in Nepal: Cannabis Culture, Kathmandu & What Travelers Should Know

Nepal was once Asia’s cannabis paradise, with government-licensed shops selling hashish openly in Kathmandu’s famous Freak Street during the 1960s hippie trail era. But in 2026, that reality has completely changed. Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in Nepal for tourists and locals alike, with severe criminal penalties that can include up to 10 years imprisonment for large-scale trafficking charges. Before planning your trip to the Himalayan kingdom, it’s essential to understand the legal risks, cultural context, and responsible ways to experience Nepal’s cannabis heritage without breaking the law. For comprehensive guidance on cannabis laws and travel regulations worldwide, explore Herb’s detailed legalization updates and educational resources.

• Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in Nepal under the Narcotic Drugs Act with severe penalties; narrow government/medical/research licensing exceptions exist but create no legal retail pathway for tourists
• Cannabis offenses are quantity-based: possession of up to 50g can result in up to 3 months jail or a fine
• CBD products risk prosecution — Nepal law does not carve out a consumer CBD exception, and CBD-containing products may be treated as illegal cannabis derivatives
• Foreign medical marijuana cards from the US, UK, or Canada have no legal recognition in Nepal
• Only during Maha Shivaratri festival (February 15, 2026, with night observances into February 16) is cannabis use informally tolerated around Pashupatinath Temple
• Freak Street (Jhochhen Tole) no longer sells cannabis — it’s now a historical tourist district
• Wild cannabis grows in trekking regions like Mustang and Annapurna, but picking it is illegal
• The UK Foreign Office warns travelers that even small amounts of marijuana could lead to a lengthy and costly legal process, and UK travel advice cautions that CBD ingredients in skincare or e-liquid may also trigger charges

Nepal’s current cannabis prohibition was shaped by both domestic concerns and international pressure. In 1973, amid the Nixon-era “war on drugs” and UN treaty obligations, Nepal revoked its cannabis shop licenses. Then in 1976, Nepal enacted the Narcotic Drugs Act (formally the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033), which broadly banned cannabis cultivation, sale, possession, and consumption. This two-step shift ended decades of legal cannabis trade that had generated government revenue for the country.

As of February 2026, cannabis remains illegal throughout Nepal with no recreational or retail exceptions for tourists. The law prohibits:

• Cultivation of cannabis plants (including wild varieties)
• Sale, purchase, or distribution of cannabis products
• Storage or trafficking of cannabis products
• Consumption or use of cannabis products
• Import or export of cannabis products

The Act does contain narrow exceptions allowing the Government of Nepal or supervised institutions to obtain a special license for medical or scientific research purposes. However, these provisions create no legal retail pathway for tourists or recreational users.

Despite ongoing discussions about potential reform, no legalization bills have passed at the national level as of 2026. While Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun announced plans to legalize medical cannabis cultivation in May 2024, these proposals remain stalled in parliament. Some sub-national activity exists, such as provincial-level bill discussions in Gandaki, but national law remains unchanged.For travelers, this means there are no legal avenues to purchase or consume cannabis recreationally in Nepal. Unlike countries with regulated markets or decriminalization policies, Nepal maintains a prohibitionist stance with severe consequences for violations.

Despite its legal prohibition, cannabis holds deep religious and cultural significance in Nepal, particularly within Hindu traditions. The most important context for understanding Nepal’s relationship with cannabis is the annual Maha Shivaratri festival.

Maha Shivaratri, observed on February 15, 2026 (with night observances continuing into February 16), represents the most prominent occasion when cannabis use is informally tolerated in Nepal. At Pashupatinath Temple — Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva — thousands of sadhus (holy men) and devotees gather to consume cannabis as a sacred offering to Shiva.

Key aspects of Shivaratri cannabis culture include:

• Sacred consumption: Cannabis is considered a divine offering to Lord Shiva, not recreational use
• Primary location: The most visible and open tolerance centers around Pashupatinath Temple grounds during the festival, though risk remains elsewhere
• Cultural practice: Traditional bhang (cannabis drink) and charas (hashish) are used in worship rituals
• Massive gathering: Tens of thousands of devotثees queue throughout the day; officials may expect hundreds of thousands over the full observance

For travelers, Shivaratri offers a unique opportunity to observe authentic religious cannabis use in its proper cultural context. However, it’s crucial to understand that participating in cannabis consumption is still technically illegal, even during the festival. Observing respectfully as a cultural experience is appropriate, but attempting to purchase or consume cannabis anywhere in Nepal outside of this specific religious context carries significant legal risk.

The ash-covered sadhus who gather at Pashupatinath Temple represent Nepal’s “Baba culture” — ascetic holy men who use cannabis as part of their spiritual practice. These practitioners view cannabis not as a recreational drug but as a sacrament that facilitates connection with the divine. Their presence during Shivaratri creates a powerful visual representation of cannabis’s traditional role in Hindu spirituality.

If you’re wondering where to buy weed in Kathmandu in 2026, the honest answer is: nowhere legally. There are no licensed dispensaries, cannabis cafes, or legal retail outlets for cannabis products in Nepal. Any offers to sell you cannabis are part of the black market and carry severe legal consequences.

While you may encounter individuals offering to sell cannabis in tourist areas like Thamel, these interactions are extremely dangerous for several reasons:

• Enforcement activity can occur in tourist areas, and the risk of arrest is real
• No quality control — products may be adulterated with dangerous substances
• Extortion potential — dealers may demand additional payment after initial purchase
• Immediate arrest risk — possession of any amount triggers criminal charges

The UK Foreign Office explicitly warns that tourists caught with even small amounts of marijuana face the possibility of imprisonment after what is typically a long and expensive legal process. It is important to note that the UK’s advisory reflects a risk warning, not a direct citation of Nepal’s statutory penalty bands (which are quantity-based and detailed below).

While historical sources indicate that cannabis was once extremely cheap in Nepal (charas sold for pennies during the Freak Street era), today’s black market prices are unpredictable and not worth the risk. Purchasing cannabis at any price in Nepal is illegal and can result in imprisonment, deportation, and thousands of dollars in legal fees.

The legal and personal risks of cannabis possession in Nepal cannot be overstated. Travelers who choose to ignore these warnings face serious consequences that can derail their trip and have long-term implications.

Nepal’s penalty structure for cannabis offenses is quantity-based and applies equally to foreigners:

• Cannabis consumption: Up to 1 month imprisonment OR fine up to Rs. 2,000 (~$15 USD)
• Possession/trafficking up to 50g: Up to 3 months jail OR fine up to Rs. 3,000 (no mandatory minimum)
• Possession/trafficking 50g to 500g: 1 month to 1 year jail + fine
• Large-scale trafficking (higher quantities): Up to 10 years imprisonment

The US State Department warns that purchasing, possessing, or consuming illegal drugs, including marijuana and hashish, results in fines and jail time, with no leniency for foreign tourists claiming ignorance of local laws.

If you find yourself arrested for cannabis possession in Nepal, follow these steps immediately:

1. Remain calm and do not resist arrest
2. Request to contact your embassy immediately:
   • US Citizens: Call +(977)(1) 423-4000
   • UK Citizens: Use the official GOV.UK contact form for the British Embassy Kathmandu, or try commonly listed Embassy lines +977-1-4410583 / 4414588
3. Request an interpreter — do not sign documents you don’t understand
4. Do not offer bribes — this will worsen your legal situation

Legal proceedings can be lengthy and expensive, and outcomes vary case by case. First-time offenders with small amounts may receive jail sentences or fines, potentially followed by deportation with entry bans.

Beyond legal risks, black market cannabis in Nepal may pose health dangers:

• Adulterated products — may contain unknown substances or contaminants
• Limited medical response — Nepal has minimal drug overdose treatment infrastructure
• No quality assurance — potency and safety are completely unverified

For emergency medical care, Patan Hospital in Lalitpur offers strong emergency services in the Kathmandu Valley (Emergency: +(977)(1) 5522266).

While Kathmandu receives the most attention from tourists, Nepal’s cannabis story extends throughout the Himalayan regions where wild cannabis grows naturally at high altitudes.

Several trekking regions are known for naturally occurring cannabis plants:

• Mustang Region: Wild cannabis grows at high elevations; some Himalayan cannabis can develop purple coloration in cold conditions
• Annapurna Circuit: Cannabis plants appear along trails at various elevations
• Langtang Valley: Common in villages, traditionally used for textiles and livestock feed

Critical warning: Even wild, uncultivated cannabis is illegal to pick, possess, or transport under Nepali law. Trekkers may observe these plants but cannot legally harvest or consume them.

Historically, Nepali communities used cannabis for practical purposes beyond recreation:

• Hemp fiber for rope, cloth, and roofing material
• Seeds for edible oil production
• Leaves fed to livestock to aid digestion
• Medicinal applications for pain relief and digestive issues

All of these traditional uses are now prohibited under the 1976 Narcotic Drugs Act, though some rural communities may still practice them discreetly.

While purchasing cannabis in Nepal is illegal and dangerous, understanding the characteristics of Nepali cannabis provides valuable cultural context.

Nepal is home to several unique landrace cannabis varieties adapted to high-altitude Himalayan conditions:

• Himalayan sativas: Typically tall, airy plants with energetic, cerebral effects; some high-altitude varieties develop purple coloration due to cold temperatures
• Traditional charas: Finger-rubbed hashish made from live cannabis plants

These landrace varieties represent important genetic diversity in the global cannabis gene pool. For more information about landrace strains and their characteristics, explore Herb’s comprehensive Strain Guides.

Nepali charas (hashish) is traditionally produced using a finger-rubbing method where resin is collected from live cannabis plants by rolling flowering tops between the palms. This technique is often described as producing aromatic, flavorful resin.

However, without legal regulation or quality testing, modern black market charas quality is unpredictable and may be adulterated with unknown substances.

Responsible travel to Nepal requires understanding that your actions as a foreigner have real impacts on local communities and perceptions of cannabis.

• Respect local laws: Nepal’s cannabis prohibition reflects complex political and international pressures
• Avoid exploitation: Don’t treat local communities as sources for illegal substances
• Cultural appropriation: Cannabis has deep religious significance — don’t reduce it to a tourist commodity
• Economic impact: Black market purchases may fund criminal networks rather than local communities

Instead of seeking illegal cannabis, engage with Nepal’s cannabis culture through legitimate channels:

• Observe Maha Shivaratri respectfully at Pashupatinath Temple
• Visit Freak Street to learn about hippie trail history
• Explore ethnographic museums that document traditional plant uses
• Support legal tourism that benefits local communities

Understanding the historical context of Nepal’s cannabis prohibition — shaped by both domestic concerns and international pressure rather than purely foreign imposition — helps contextualize the current situation and appreciate the cultural significance that persists despite legal restrictions.

While Nepal currently prohibits cannabis for tourists, staying informed about global cannabis laws and cultural contexts is essential for responsible travel. Herb stands apart as the definitive resource for cannabis education, legal updates, and cultural insights that empower travelers to make informed decisions.

Herb’s comprehensive platform offers unique advantages for travelers interested in cannabis culture worldwide:

• Global legalization tracking: Stay updated on legalization efforts in countries like Nepal where reform may be on the horizon
• Cultural education: Deep-dive articles on cannabis traditions and religious practices around the world
• Strain knowledge: Detailed Strain Guides covering landrace varieties like those found in the Himalayas
• Travel safety: Evidence-based guidance on responsible consumption and legal considerations
• Community insights: Access to a 14 million member community sharing real-world experiences and advice

Unlike generic travel guides or unreliable online forums, Herb combines scientific accuracy with cultural sensitivity to provide trustworthy information about cannabis worldwide. Whether you’re planning a trip to Nepal, Thailand, or any destination with complex cannabis laws, Herb’s educational resources help you navigate legal landscapes while respecting local cultures.

For travelers specifically interested in Nepal’s cannabis heritage, Herb’s coverage of religious cannabis use, landrace strains, and global prohibition history provides essential context that goes beyond simple “do’s and don’ts” to foster genuine understanding and respect.