Thailand Recriminalizes Cannabis: Farmers Devastated, 18,000 Shops at Risk
After Asia’s Most Ambitious Legalization, a Sudden and Costly Reversal
Just three years after decriminalizing cannabis in a historic move, Thailand has hit reverse. On June 23, 2025, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed sweeping legislation banning all cannabis sales without a medical prescription.
The new law came into force immediately after its publication in the Royal Gazette on June 26, 2025, catching much of the industry off guard.
Cannabis flower buds have now been reclassified as “controlled herbs” under Thailand’s Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act of 1999.
Although medical cannabis remains technically legal, the move effectively shuts down the country’s short-lived experiment with recreational use—once hailed as a regional breakthrough.
“The rug has been pulled out from under us,” said a dispensary owner in Pattaya.
“We followed the law. We paid taxes. And now we’re left with nothing.”
What the New Law Requires: Medical-Only Cannabis Use
Only patients with valid medical prescriptions may legally access cannabis. A single prescription is limited to 30 grams per 30 days.
These changes reflect a major policy shift under the Thailand cannabis law 2025, which reinstates strict controls on cannabis distribution and access.
Who Can Prescribe Cannabis?
Medical cannabis regulations in Thailand now limit prescriptions to licensed professionals only, ensuring tighter oversight of cannabis use.
- Medical doctors (Medical Profession Act)
- Thai traditional medicine practitioners
- Chinese medicine doctors
- Dentists (Dentistry Profession Act)
- Pharmacists (Pharmacy Profession Act)
Officials argue this realigns cannabis with Thailand’s traditional medicine framework and addresses youth overuse, addiction, and public health risks.
Businesses in Freefall: 18,000 Licensed Shops at Risk
The economic fallout from the Thailand cannabis crackdown has been swift. Thailand’s cannabis industry—valued at over $1.2 billion—now faces a harsh reset.
New restrictions include:
- Monthly government inspections
- Ban on online sales and vending machines
- Complete advertising bans
- Sales are banned near schools, temples, and parks
“This is a violation of the rights of entrepreneurs who have invested in good faith,” said Pranchai Chaimontree, spokesperson for the Pattaya-Chonburi Cannabis and Medical Economic Entrepreneurs Club.
“We’ve followed every rule, secured the proper licenses, paid taxes, and helped grow the economy. Now we’re being left in the dark—where is the support for us?”
Repeat violations may result in permanent license revocation, creating further legal and financial uncertainty.
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Farmers Face Ruin After Green Rush
Cannabis became a financial lifeline for many rural Thai farmers, offering a far more lucrative alternative to traditional crops like rice.
Compared to rice, which often generates just 10,000 to 15,000 baht per rai, cannabis cultivation opened the door to earnings nearly 50 to 100 times higher per harvest.
Now, with the threat of cannabis being returned to the Category 5 narcotics list, many cultivators are facing devastating consequences—forced to abandon crops, scrap business plans, or return to farming models that barely cover costs.
One grower from a Chiang Mai–based operation near Tha Phae Gate reported potential losses of over 20 million baht, citing halted expansion, canceled contracts, and a stockpile of product that may no longer be legally viable.
Public Health Justification: Is the Crackdown Backed by Data?
Government officials defend the rollback as a response to rising cannabis misuse, particularly among teens.
Key data from the Public Health Ministry and Narcotics Control Board:
- Habitual cannabis use reportedly doubled, rising from 350,000 users in 2019 to over 700,000 by 2024
- Cannabis use among 18–19-year-olds spiked tenfold between 2019 and 2022
- A national survey conducted in June 2025 showed that 59% of respondents support stricter cannabis regulation
While these numbers have fueled the government’s case for reclassification, critics argue that the response is excessive and misguided.
“Instead of regulating smarter, they’re criminalizing again,” said one Thai doctor.
“What we needed were clear rules, licensing standards, and age restrictions—not a complete rollback.”
Political Maneuvering: The Real Catalyst Behind the Ban?
While public health remains the official rationale, many analysts believe power shifts within the government played a decisive role in fast-tracking the cannabis crackdown.
On June 18, 2025, the pro-cannabis Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) abruptly exited the ruling coalition after a diplomatic dispute involving Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Their departure effectively removed a major obstacle to cannabis reform rollbacks, giving Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin the political space to enact restrictions that had previously faced resistance.
He attributed the current cannabis boom to a legislative oversight in the 2021 Narcotics Code, which delisted cannabis from the Category 5 drug schedule but lacked timely regulatory follow-through—resulting in widespread, loosely governed expansion.
Now, Somsak is pushing to return cannabis to the Category 5 narcotic list—a step that would criminalize recreational use once again and reset the industry under strict legal control.
What This Means for Tourists
International visitors should take note: Thailand is no longer a cannabis-friendly destination.
Key rules visitors must know:
- Recreational cannabis use is now banned
- Only Thai-licensed professionals can issue valid medical prescriptions
- Possession without a valid prescription can lead to legal consequences, including fines, detention, or even arrest
- Cannabis cafes are now restricted to operating under direct oversight from licensed medical practitioners
Thailand’s policy reversal may significantly impact its reputation as a cannabis tourism hotspot—once a major post-2022 attraction for global travelers.
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What’s Next for Thailand’s Cannabis Future?
Thailand’s cannabis future now hangs in the balance. While large corporations may weather the transition, small growers, entrepreneurs, and rural families face insurmountable licensing costs and uncertain legal footing.
“This wasn’t just about weed,” said a grower in Buriram.
“It was a way out of poverty. Now we’re back where we started.”
Cannabis advocates argue that smart regulation, not recriminalization, was the answer. Instead, Thailand’s decision may deter neighboring nations from pursuing legalization, stalling progress across Southeast Asia.
Conclusion: A Revolution Paused—or Permanently Derailed?
In just three years, Thailand has shifted from being a cannabis trailblazer to reinstating strict controls that many view as a return to prohibition.
The government’s sudden U-turn has thrown thousands of lives, businesses, and communities into uncertainty, raising serious concerns about policy transparency, economic foresight, and public accountability.
Whether this new framework truly improves public health remains to be seen. But one thing is already evident:
The economic damage and social disruption are real—and the road to recovery may take years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Thailand’s 2025 Cannabis Recriminalization
Thailand reversed its 2022 decriminalization policy due to growing concerns over youth consumption, unregulated cannabis access, and public health risks. Officials pointed to rising usage statistics and public opinion polls demanding tighter controls. However, critics say political shifts—not health data—were the real driving force behind the rollback.
Yes, but under strict regulations. Medical cannabis is legal in Thailand only for patients with a valid prescription from a Thai-licensed healthcare provider. This includes certified doctors, dentists, traditional Thai medicine practitioners, and pharmacists.
Recreational cannabis use is fully banned. Possession without a medical prescription can result in arrest, fines, or other legal consequences.
Medical cannabis prescriptions can only be issued by professionals registered under Thai law, including:
- Licensed medical doctors
- Thai traditional medicine practitioners
- Chinese medicine doctors
- Registered dentists
- Certified pharmacists
Each prescription is limited to 30 grams per month, and patients must comply with medical-use guidelines.
Over 18,000 licensed cannabis businesses—including dispensaries, cafes, and cultivation sites—are facing potential closure or strict restructuring. Key regulations include:
- Mandatory monthly inspections
- A ban on online cannabis sales and vending machines
- Total advertising restrictions
- Prohibition of sales near schools, parks, and temples
Violations may result in license revocation, legal action, and permanent business shutdowns.
The crackdown has devastated rural cannabis farmers. Many had transitioned from low-return crops like rice (earning just 10,000–15,000 baht per rai) to cannabis, which could generate up to 1.2 million baht per rai. Now, with reclassification looming, farmers are facing:
- Forced crop destruction
- Canceled contracts and halted expansion
- No pathway to medical licensing
- Financial losses—some exceeding 20 million baht
For many, cannabis farming was an escape from poverty—now replaced by uncertainty.
The Public Health Ministry cited several key statistics:
- Cannabis use in Thailand doubled between 2019 and 2024, surpassing 700,000 reported users.
- Usage among 18–19-year-olds increased tenfold between 2019 and 2022
- A June 2025 national poll showed 59% support for tighter cannabis laws
Still, many health experts argue that comprehensive regulation—not prohibition—would have been a more effective and balanced solution.
No. Recreational cannabis is illegal for tourists. Key rules for visitors include:
- Only Thai-licensed medical professionals can prescribe cannabis legally
- Possession without a valid prescription can lead to arrest, fines, or deportation
- Cannabis cafes may only operate under medical supervision
Travelers should not purchase, carry, or consume cannabis while in Thailand to avoid legal trouble.
Yes. The Thai government is actively working to reinstate cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic, which would make all recreational and non-medical use illegal. If passed, the new classification will:
- Recriminalize personal possession
- Ban recreational consumption entirely
- Enforce severe penalties on unlicensed growers and users
This would mark a full retreat from Thailand’s 2022 legalization model.
The future remains deeply uncertain. While large corporations may adapt to the new medical-only market, cannabis businesses in Thailand—especially small-scale growers, entrepreneurs, and local workers—are facing immense pressure. Challenges include:
Soaring licensing and compliance costs
Loss of access to previously legal markets
Heightened risk of legal prosecution
Many industry advocates warn that this policy reversal could stall broader cannabis reform across Southeast Asia, jeopardizing years of economic progress, innovation, and medical advancement.
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