Thailand plans new cannabis rules to rein in dispensary boom

[BANGKOK] Thailand’s government is planning to further rein in thousands of cannabis dispensaries that have sprung up in the wake of decriminalisation by limiting sales of the plant mostly to licenced medical facilities.

Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, but has since tightened its regulation in a series of policy changes.

According to a draft of an amended Health Ministry regulation on “controlled herbs,” sales of cannabis will only be allowed at medical facilities, stores selling herbal products, pharmacies, and through traditional medicine practitioners.

Establishments must also have at least one practitioner, who has completed training from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, on duty during operating hours, according to the draft regulation.

The changes are currently under legal review after which it will be signed and implemented, according to local media reports citing Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat, who did not give further details on the timeline.

He added that the changes will not affect patients who rely on cannabis for medical purposes.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party spearheaded the decriminalisation of cannabis, but has toughened its policy in an attempt to court conservative voters ahead of next month’s election.

The new rules will deepen uncertainty for the fledgling cannabis industry, which grew to over 18,000 dispensaries by the end of 2025. More than 7,000 are expected to close this year as they did not seek to renew their licences, Pattana said.

Prasitchai Nunual, secretary-general of Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future advocacy group, said the new rules will push small dispensaries out of business.

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“If it has to be a medical facility, no one can do it,” Prasitchai said, adding that only stores backed by big business will be able to afford the changes.

It is the latest in a series of policy changes after the landmark decriminalisation policy unleashed liberal uses of cannabis including recreational smoking.

Two subsequent administrations have sought to re-criminalise cannabis and reel back recreational use that has flourished in popular tourist areas and even in Bangkok’s business districts. There has also been a surge in cannabis smuggling across borders, authorities have said.

Since mid-2025, buyers must obtain medical prescriptions to buy cannabis and dispensaries are required to sell only cannabis produced by farms that have obtained the “Good Agricultural and Collection Practices” certifications issued by the government. Sales are capped at a 30-day supply per customer. BLOOMBERG