Thailand announces restrictions on the use of cannabis for medical purposes only

Since his historic decision to decriminalize cannabis in June 2022, the Thailand has established itself as a regional pioneer in Southeast Asia.

But three years later, the wind has changed. The Thai government, led by Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin, is now firmly committed to the regulation of cannabis, by reclassifying as a category 5 narcotic and restricting its use to medical purposes only.

A short-lived experiment in cannabis liberalization

Thailand's initial decision to decriminalize cannabis was part of a public health initiative.

The Bhumjaithai Party, a key player in the previous coalition government, lobbied for cannabis to be removed from the country's list of banned narcotics, with the aim of boosting the economy through the medical marijuana and wellness tourism. The Minister of Health at the time, Anutin Charnvirakul, the party leader, led the reform and oversaw its implementation in 2022.

Deployment quickly outstripped initial intentions. Although officially limited to one medical use, the absence of strict regulations has led to the emergence of more than 10,000 cannabis stores, particularly concentrated in Bangkok. These dispensaries, which often operate without medical supervision, have contributed to what critics call a «green rush» towards a "green economy". unregulated recreational use.

A political and regulatory response

The liberalization of cannabis is almost immediate has become a controversial topic. Despite its popularity with some locals and foreign visitors, the rapid proliferation of dispensaries has raised concerns about the public health and the’youth exhibition.

The Minister of Health, Somsak Thepsuthin, now a central figure in the turnaround, has always been critical of the previous government's handling of cannabis.

«When cannabis was removed from the narcotics list in 2022, the government should have passed a law to regulate its use within 120 days,» he said, according to Thai PBS World. «But no action has been taken.»

With the recent Bhumjaithai withdraws from the ruling coalition, Somsak resumed his uncompromising stance. He confirmed his intention to reclassify cannabis as category 5 of the Narcotics Act, a measure that would once again criminalize recreational use. In his view, Bhumjaithai's cannabis bill is nothing more than a «daydream».

Tightening the screws

On June 24, 2025, Somsak signed a ministerial order strictly limiting the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Under the new rules, individuals will now have to have both a medical prescription and a medical certificate to obtain cannabis legally. These changes will come into force as soon as they are published in the Official Journal, although no official date has yet been set.

Speaking to the newspaper The Nation Thailand, Somsak stressed that these measures were not politically motivated. «This has to be done because the issue has been dragging on for too long. The government has received a large number of complaints related to cannabis abuse,» he said.

Alongside this crackdown, the Department of Public Health will be introducing stricter guidelines for cannabis businesses:

• Stores will have to have a healthcare professional on site.
• From monthly inspections will be carried out by the authorities.
• Any store that breaks the rules twice will have his license withdrawn.

This framework will be integrated into the law on traditional medicine, which already classifies cannabis as a controlled plant. According to the Thai Department of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, a grace period will be granted to help companies adapt.

Coalition politics and cannabis

Cannabis has become a dividing line in Thai coalition politics. The Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who took up his post after Srettha Thavisin, initially tried to maintain a balanced position. It expressed its support for the use of medical and commercial use of cannabis, This was partly to appease the Bhumjaithai party, which remained a crucial coalition partner at the time.

However, tensions intensified after the telephone call disclosure between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which led the Bhumjaithai to withdraw from the coalition. With the party's departure, the way was clear for a more conservative turn in cannabis policy.

The figurehead of the Bhumjaithai, Supachai Jaisamut, accused Pheu Thai-controlled Ministry of Health for mishandling the regulation of cannabis. He reaffirmed his party's position, saying it only supported medical use from 2019. Supachai also called for the adoption urgent debate on the cannabis control bill, even if the chances of it being adopted under the current government seem slim.

Public opinion and outlook

In May and June 2025, the Ministry of Public Health organized a series of’public hearings to gauge public opinion on cannabis policy. According to Somsak, a the majority of respondents were in favour of limiting cannabis to medical use, reinforcing the government's line of action.

Supporters of legalization point to the fact that’the economic and social impact of this sudden turnaround. Thousands of companies that emerged during the liberalization phase now face an uncertain future.

The coming months will be decisive for Thailand's cannabis industry, which must now contend with this new development. policy shift brutal. Keeping in mind that Thailand knows how to blow hot air for all to see, while leaving plenty of room for action in practice.