The Thai government has announced plans to re-criminalize cannabis, restricting its use solely to medical applications. This decision follows the departure of the pro-cannabis Bhumjaithai Party from the ruling coalition, amid ongoing political instability that poses risks to Thailand’s burgeoning cannabis industry.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin confirmed that a new health ministry notification was signed earlier this week, mandating medical prescriptions for cannabis use. This regulation is expected to take effect imminently. Minister Somsak highlighted the lack of a formal regulatory framework since the 2022 decriminalization, which has led to the rapid establishment of over 10,000 cannabis dispensaries and a surge in recreational use.
Somsak expressed concern about the situation, stating, “It’s a festering problem and we have received so many complaints.” He indicated that cannabis is currently classified as a strictly regulated herb for medical purposes but warned that it could soon be designated as a narcotic again.
Thailand was the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis, a move that has spurred widespread use and the establishment of numerous dispensaries across popular tourist destinations and urban centers, including Bangkok. However, the absence of comprehensive cannabis laws has also facilitated increased cannabis smuggling across borders.
The debate over cannabis re-criminalization has been a contentious issue for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and its former coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, which initially advocated for the decriminalization policy. As the political landscape shifts, the future of cannabis regulation in Thailand remains uncertain.
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