When Was Cannabis Restricted Again in Thailand?

1. Key Timeline & Policy Change

• On June 23, 2025, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health issued a new regulation under the Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) Act, officially reclassifying cannabis flower (buds) as a controlled herb. 

• This new rule replaces a previous 2022 announcement, closing loopholes that existed when cannabis was decriminalized in 2022. 

• The regulation took effect immediately after it was published in the Royal Gazette. 

2. What the New 2025 Regulation Means

• Only the flower (inflorescence) of the cannabis plant is now strictly controlled. Other parts of the plant (e.g., leaves, stems) are not classified in the same way.

• To legally research, export, sell, or process cannabis flower, a Section 46 license is now required. 

• Licensed businesses must:

  • Report origin, use, and inventory to the authorities. 

  • Use only cannabis from GACP-certified growers (i.e., grown to good agricultural and harvesting standards).

  • Not sell flower for smoking to general walk-in customers — only medical practitioners can do so in certain regulated contexts.

  • Not sell via vending machines, online platforms, or electronic networks. 

  • Not advertise any cannabis products commercially. 

  • Not sell cannabis flower in certain “sensitive” public locations, including temples, parks, dormitories, zoos, and amusement parks. 

3. Medical Use Only (for Flower)

• The sale of cannabis flower is now strictly for medical use only. 

• Prescription must come from licensed medical practitioners, which include:

  • Doctors (modern medicine)

  • Traditional Thai medicine practitioners

  • Chinese medicine practitioners

  • Dentists, pharmacists (depending on law) 

• Any prescription for cannabis flower is limited to a 30-day supply for treatment purposes. 

4. Penalties & Enforcement

• Selling cannabis flower without a prescription is now illegal. 

• Violators risk fines and possible imprisonment. 

• Authorities are actively cracking down on unlicensed cannabis shops, especially those that target tourists. 

5. Why Thailand Tightened This Regulation

• After decriminalization in 2022, many “dispensaries” opened up, including businesses that operated with little or no medical oversight. The government expressed concern about misuse, especially among young people. 

• The new policy emphasizes public health: limiting cannabis flower to medical use only, controlling the supply chain, and preventing abuse. 

• The change is part of a broader shift toward regulated medical cannabis, rather than recreational sales. 

6. What Tourists & Ordinary People Should Know

• Tourists cannot legally buy or possess cannabis flower unless they have a valid Thai prescription. 

• Do not assume that cannabis shops — especially in tourist areas — are operating legally. Some may be unlicensed. 

• Avoid buying cannabis products from vending machines, online platforms, or stores that openly advertise cannabis. 

• If you see a “dispensary,” check whether it has a Section 46 license and whether the products are from certified growers.

Conclusion

• In June 2025, Thailand reintroduced strict regulation on cannabis flower, classifying it as a controlled herb under new law.

• Recreational use is effectively curtailed; now only those with a medical prescription can legally buy the flower.

• There are tight controls on production, licensing, and sales.

• Violators face real legal risk, and tourists in particular should be very careful.