Thailand Reverses Course on Recreational Cannabis

LOS ANGELES- Thailand’s Public Health Ministry, under Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, has issued a directive banning recreational cannabis sales and reclassifying cannabis buds as a controlled herb in a major policy reversal after three years of decriminalization. Effective upon publication in the Royal Gazette, the directive mandates that all cannabis purchases require a doctor’s prescription, limits dispensary operations to medical-grade producers, and imposes penalties of up to one year in jail or a 20,000‑baht fine for non-compliance. Officials have linked the policy shift to growing concerns over youth misuse, rising addiction rates, and illicit cross-border trafficking—particularly involving tourists.

The abrupt policy change poses a significant challenge to Thailand’s burgeoning cannabis sector, which had expanded to include more than 11,000 dispensaries and was valued at over US$1 billion. Industry stakeholders have warned that small-scale operators may struggle to meet the new requirements—such as mandatory on-site medical supervision and sourcing from certified producers—leading to market consolidation and potential resurgence of underground sales. The move comes amid political realignments following the Bhumjaithai Party’s exit from the ruling coalition, enabling Pheu Thai to shore up its pledge to limit cannabis to medical use only. The timeline for enforcement and official implementation awaits Royal Gazette publication, but authorities have indicated stricter licensing and regulatory oversight are imminent.