Thailand categorizes cannabis blossoms as a regulated plant, imposing sales and marketing limitations
Thailand Tightens Control Over Cannabis Use and Sales
As of June 2025, Thailand has reclassified cannabis as a controlled substance, restricting its legal use strictly to medicinal purposes with a mandatory prescription from a licensed healthcare professional.
The new regulation, published by the Ministry of Public Health, enforces strict control over the use, advertising, and sales of cannabis. Recreational cannabis use and sales have been banned, reversing the temporary legalization period from 2022.
Licensing and Sales Requirements
Cannabis products can only be sold in licensed medical dispensaries operating under the Thai Traditional Medicine Act, with certified staff and controlled inventory tracking. All cannabis flowers and products must be sourced from GACP- or GAP-certified pharmaceutical-grade farms that meet strict quality standards.
Licensed dispensaries must register with the government, maintain detailed customer and sales records, and report sourcing and sales data monthly. Sales are restricted to in-person transactions only, prohibiting sales online or through vending machines.
Public Use and Advertising
Consumption of cannabis in public areas (parks, temples, dormitories, etc.) remains illegal, and smoking publicly is banned with penalties including fines and imprisonment. The minimum age for legal use is 20 years old.
Cannabis advertising for commercial purposes is prohibited across all platforms. Sales of cannabis for smoking in business establishments are prohibited unless for use by certified medical professionals.
Penalties for Noncompliance
In summary, only patients with a valid medical prescription can legally purchase and use cannabis, and sales must occur through licensed medical channels sourcing from certified growers. Businesses licensed prior to the announcement must comply with the updated rules for cannabis control.
Noncompliance with these regulations can result in up to 1 year in jail or a 20,000 baht (~550 USD) fine.
Exporters must notify the licensing authority of each export transaction. Retailers and processors may only sell cannabis to licensed recipients under Section 46 of the regulation.
These regulations mark a significant tightening of cannabis control, emphasizing safety, traceability, and medical oversight. General sales of cannabis are now banned under the new regulation. Cannabis may not be sold via vending machines or online platforms.
Sources: [1] Ministry of Public Health [2] Royal Gazette [3] Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department [4] Thai Cannabis Corporation [5] Bangkok Post
- The tightened regulations in Thailand have classified cannabis as a controlled substance, limiting its legal use to medicinal purposes.
- Businesses in Thailand can only sell cannabis products in retail outlets licensed under the Thai Traditional Medicine Act and sourced from GACP- or GAP-certified farmers.
- Although cannabis use has been restricted, it is still crucial for licensed healthcare professionals to prescribe it for medical purposes in Thailand.
- The sale of cannabis for recreational purposes is now prohibited, and public consumption remains illegal.
- In Thailand, cannabis product advertising is banned across all media platforms, including online and in-person commercial establishments.
- Failure to comply with the new cannabis regulations can lead to penalties such as fines or imprisonment, emphasizing the importance of compliance.
- Prior to this change, there was a temporary legalization period for recreational cannabis use in Thailand, which has now been reversed.
- The enforcement of these regulations will help ensure the safety, traceability, and medical oversight of cannabis use and sales in Thailand.
