Thailand is set to tighten restrictions on cannabis sales, reversing parts of its historic 2022 decriminalisation policy that had made it the first Asian nation to legalise the plant. The move comes amid growing public concern over the drug’s widespread availability and an ongoing political dispute between former coalition partners in the Thai government.
Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed a new order this week banning the sale of cannabis to anyone without a medical prescription. The regulation also proposes reclassifying cannabis buds as a controlled herb, significantly curtailing the booming cannabis retail sector that has emerged over the past two years.
“The aim is to curb misuse and ensure cannabis is used only for medical purposes,” Somsak said, while also suggesting that he supports relisting cannabis as a narcotic in the future.
The crackdown follows increasing complaints from the public and health officials, who say lax regulation has led to children accessing the drug and a rise in cannabis addiction. According to Phanurat Lukboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, a government study last year showed a significant spike in cannabis dependency since decriminalisation.
Though the new regulation did not specify penalties for violations, it will take legal effect once published in the Royal Gazette. The timing for that publication has not yet been confirmed.
The issue has also reignited political tensions between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and its former coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party. Pheu Thai, which returned to power last year, has long vowed to roll back cannabis liberalisation. However, Bhumjaithai — which led the push to decriminalise cannabis under the previous government — remains opposed to any effort to recriminalise it.
Somsak’s announcement comes as Thai authorities reported a sharp rise in cannabis smuggling cases involving foreign tourists in recent months, adding to government concerns about the international impact of its relaxed cannabis policy.
The decision has been met with resistance from cannabis advocates and business owners. On Wednesday, a prominent advocacy group said the regulatory shift was “politically motivated” and announced plans to stage a protest at the Health Ministry next month. The group warned that restoring criminal penalties would devastate an emerging industry that had benefited farmers, entrepreneurs, and the tourism sector.
The future of cannabis in Thailand remains uncertain as the government weighs tighter control against the economic and political stakes of a booming, but controversial, industry.
