Opinion | Whatever Nepal decides on cannabis, it should first document its landraces
Summary
Nepal hosts indigenous cannabis landraces that risk extinction amid commercialisation, urging documentation and conservation before large-scale cultivation expands.
Key Points
- Cannabis in Nepal has been cultivated for centuries but remains poorly documented, especially its indigenous landrace populations.
- Recent policy changes in Nepal aim to legalize cannabis farming for medicinal and industrial purposes in several provinces.
- Landrace cannabis populations are genetically diverse and adapted to local environments, potentially harboring valuable traits lost in commercial strains.
- Uncontrolled hybridisation and eradication efforts threaten to eliminate these unique genetic resources before they can be scientifically studied and conserved.
