WHAT HAPPENS IN THAILAND GETS FORBIDDEN IN THAILAND – THAILAND REVERSES CANNABIS LEGALIZATION
As surprising as it came, as surprising it disappears again: The Cannabis legalization in Thailand summarized. With current news, Thailand has begun rolling back its groundbreaking cannabis legalization just three years after becoming the first country in Asia to decriminalize marijuana. So here we are seeing Thailand reversing the Cannabis Legalization. The move, effective in June 2025, marks a major shift in the region’s cannabis policy and is sending shockwaves through the thriving cannabis industry, tourism sector, and global cannabis reform movement.
WHAT HAPPENED? THAILANDS NEW CANNABIS REGULATION EXPLAINED
Thailand’s Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed a new order that reclassifies cannabis buds as a “controlled herb.” This order now requires a medical prescription to legally purchase cannabis and bans all recreational use in public and private retail spaces.
Key New Cannabis Rules in Thailand :
- Cannabis buds require a prescription from a licensed medical professional
- Retail sales banned in public venues.
- Online, vending machine, and electronic cannabis sales are banned.
- In-store smoking prohibited unless managed by certified medical practitioners.
- Licenses required for cultivation, export, processing, and commercial sales.
- All cannabis must comply with GACP standards and be reported to authorities.
- Penalties: Violations may result in up to 1 year in prison or a 20,000 baht fine (equals about 450 EURO).
WHY IS THAILAND CRACKING DOWN ON CANNABIS?
The Thai government claims the move is aimed at protecting children and youth from increased cannabis access. However, many insiders point to political infighting as the true driving force.
The initial legalization was championed in 2022 by former Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose Bhumjaithai Party lost power in 2023. Now, under the Pheu Thai Party, which had previously campaigned to recriminalize marijuana, Thailand is reversing course.
With Bhumjaithai exiting the ruling coalition, Pheu Thai is pushing forward with its promise to restrict cannabis to medical-only use, potentially reclassifying it as a Category 5 narcotic—putting it back in the same group as heroin.
IMPACT ON THAILAND’S CANNABIS INDUSTRY
Thailand’s cannabis industry exploded after 2022’s decriminalization, with over 11,000 dispensaries and a projected $1.2 billion in revenue by 2025. Cannabis tourism flourished, and thousands of small farms emerged to meet growing demand.
But under the new rules, small growers and dispensary owners are struggling to adapt as most permits are going to big players, while small farmers struggle to set ground and are mainly left behind.
Activists fear the changes will push the cannabis market back underground, much like other informal industries in Thailand: “Cannabis will just be another thing managed by the corrupt underground system,” says Chokwan Chopaka, leader of Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network.
PUBLIC OPINION ON CANNABIS IN THAILAND
Despite the economic benefits, public sentiment has shifted. A 2024 national poll showed a majority in favor of reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic, reflecting growing concerns over accessibility, youth exposure, and unclear regulation.
WHAT TRAVELLERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CANNABIS IN THAILAND:
- Do NOT purchase or consume cannabis without a prescription.
- Avoid shops that appear to sell cannabis freely—likely to be illegal.
- Penalties include jail time and fines, even for foreigners.
GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS: IS THIS THE END OF THE CANNABIS REFORM IN ASIA?
Thailand’s policy reversal may signal a chilling effect on cannabis reform across Asia, where strict drug laws remain the norm. The lack of regulatory infrastructure and political will to support cannabis post-decriminalization is now a cautionary tale for other countries considering similar moves.
As the world watches, Thailand stands as both a pioneer and a paradox in the global cannabis movement—showing how fast things can grow, and how quickly they can be uprooted. May that not be a leading example for other countries to follow, in our case the wink goes to Germany. With the legalization process being still fresh and fragmented, with many restrictions, somehow still unclear paths forward and a government in place where not all ruling parties are fully aligned, the question keeps being raised if setbacks or even reversals could be a future reality. But let’s trust in the good and wise as surely that would be nothing more than a mid century movement…
So lets leave the blocking of consuming recreational cannabis to Thailand as for Germany it stays what it shall be: Cannabis is legal. Even though buying Cannabis keeps being a mystery. Cause where to buy Cannabis? Buying Cannabis for the moment still is only possible via prescription or by doing it oneself by buying Cannabis Seeds and growing it at home. Or soon at a Cannabis Club near you.
