The Thai government has recently made decisions that will impact cannabis businesses across the nation, including those owned by Australians in Thailand. While recreational cannabis use was legalized and the plant was removed from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2022, the government has now taken firm measures to recriminalize the plant.
An order by the Ministry of Health signed on June 24th, 2025, dictates that dispensaries can only sell cannabis to buyers with a valid doctor’s prescription, and growers must follow stricter guidelines. Cannabis business owners in Thailand, both local and foreign, must abide by the new guidelines to continue their operations once the order is signed into law.
When Will Cannabis be Recriminalized in Thailand?
Recriminalization of the plant will not occur until the new law is published in Thailand’s Royal Gazette, which can happen in a matter of days after the policy details are set. Once this happens, locals and foreigners alike will not be able to consume, carry, or purchase cannabis unless they have a valid doctor’s prescription and a medical certificate informing the seller of their condition.
The government has indicated that grace periods may be offered for both dispensaries and farmers to comply with the new regulations, but no details have yet been provided.
As of this writing, no date has been set, but the government has stated that the policy will be finalized and enacted before the end of 2025.
Why is the Thai Government Recriminalizing Cannabis?
In 2022, the Thai government decriminalized cannabis as a substance, which led to the rapid growth of a new industry that is now worth over $1 billion. According to the Thai Public Health Ministry, the push for the recriminalization of cannabis stems from multiple factors, including:
- Complaints: Many non-cannabis consumers have complained about the mass consumption of the plant, especially in dense tourist areas.
- Health problems: As cannabis consumption continues to gain popularity, more people are suffering from health-related issues because of the substance.
- Living conditions: Some locals believe that regulating cannabis will improve people’s livelihoods and attract more tourists.
- Lack of regulations: Due to the vague nature of the cannabis legalization law, access to the product has become too easy.
- Effects on children: The lack of regulation has made cannabis too easily available to the youth population, which has created health and social problems.
What the Ban Means for Cannabis Businesses in Thailand
Once the ban takes effect, cannabis businesses and dispensaries will be placed under greater scrutiny from the Thai government. As foreigners are not exempt (even those with treaties of amity, like Australia), business owners who are investing in cannabis must be aware of the new policies and adapt to them properly to avoid penalties or criminal charges.
While the Thai Health Minister stated that the government plans to compensate individuals who have made investments in the industry, they have yet to elaborate on any details.
To operate in Thailand legally, Australian cannabis growers and business owners must meet new, stricter rules, including but not limited to:
- A licensed medical professional must be present on-site who can verify each prescription and certificate provided by the customers.
- Cannabis dispensaries must also be registered as hospitals or medical clinics under Thailand’s Hospital Act to fill prescriptions.
- Cannabis producers must upgrade from a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification to a Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) certification to produce and distribute cannabis products.
Meeting these requirements will not be simple or easy, and will likely require further investment. For example, to upgrade their certification, growers must spend hundreds of thousands of baht and complete a certification process that can last multiple months.
What to Do if Your Business is Affected by the Cannabis Ban
If your business is being affected by the new ban or you require guidance in complying with the new Thai cannabis law, reach out to Siam Legal International for professional assistance. As a full-service law firm in Thailand for over 20 years, we have a team of licensed corporate lawyers with the expertise to offer legal advice on how to comply with the new law and avoid penalties.
However, if you or your business is facing drug charges, we also have a team of experienced criminal defense lawyers to assist you. Our criminal defense lawyers will cooperate with our corporate team to defend you in court.
Contact Siam Legal today to avoid criminal charges and the loss of your business under Thailand’s new cannabis law.
