Thai Cannabis Stores Face Uncertainty as Government Tightens Sales Regulations

LOS ANGELES- Thailand’s government has introduced a new order—published in the Royal Gazette on June 26, 2025—mandating that cannabis can now only be sold with a valid medical prescription from licensed practitioners. Cannabis buds have been reclassified as controlled herbal medicine, and sales without prescriptions are subject to potential penalties including up to one year in jail and a 20,000‑baht fine.

This marks a significant shift from the 2022 decriminalization in Thailand, which led to the rapid proliferation of around 18,000 retail outlets largely catering to recreational users—including tourists and locals.

Store owners and cannabis advocates have voiced strong concerns. Thanatat Chotiwong, a longtime activist and retailer, described the sector as a “fully‑fledged industry” involving farmers, infrastructure, construction, lighting and research teams, warning that new restrictions could “shut it all down” overnight. Others point out that the rules require on‑site doctors to approve sales, but there are too few practitioners available to support the existing outlets.

Under the revised regime, licensed cannabis shops—of which about 18,000 remain active—must transition to a medical‑only model. They are now required to source product exclusively from certified pharmaceutical‑grade farms, verify patient prescriptions for up to a 30‑day supply (typically capped at roughly 30 g per month), and maintain detailed monthly records. Government officials say the move responds to public health concerns, notably rising addiction rates and youth access, as well as recent instances of cannabis smuggling by tourists