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The new framework for weed law in Thailand
As of June 26, 2025, the weed law in Thailand has undergone a significant shift following the publication of the Ministerial Announcement B.E. 2568 in the Royal Gazette by the Ministry of Public Health. This new regulation effectively reverses the liberal framework previously in place between 2019 and 2022. It reclassifies cannabis as a controlled herb and imposes strict limitations on its use, cultivation, sale, and export. This change follows the government’s increasing concern over unregulated recreational use and its impact on public health and safety.
Under this new legal regime, cannabis is no longer accessible for recreational purposes. Its use is now restricted exclusively to medical treatment, and only individuals with a valid prescription issued by a licensed Thai medical practitioner may legally possess and consume cannabis-based products. The 2025 law builds upon the Herbal Product Act B.E. 2562 and amends the relaxed regulatory environment that emerged following the Narcotics Act (No. 7) B.E. 2562, which had initially decriminalized certain uses of cannabis for medical purposes. The current framework is therefore a return to a stricter, medically-centered policy model.
The agency responsible for implementation of the new legal regime is the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM), that will manage regulations, licensing, control and inspection, at all levels of the cannabis supply chain.
Table of Contents
Consumption under the new weed law in Thailand
Under the 2025 legislation, cannabis consumption is strictly limited to medical treatment. In order to legally access cannabis in Thailand, individuals must obtain a prescription issued by licensed Thai medical professionals. This prescription must detail the specific therapeutic need and dosage, and it is limited to a thirty-day supply. Each new prescription must be issued monthly, and the quantity prescribed must be consistent with the individual’s treatment plan. Any possession of cannabis without such a prescription constitutes a criminal offense under the Ministerial Announcement B.E. 2568 and the Controlled Herbs Act.
Under the new weed law, the substance can only be consumed for the purpose of treating a medical condition. In Thailand, the only way to legally get access to cannabis is to have a prescription written by a Thai doctor. The prescription shall show the therapeutic need and is confined to a thirty-day supply. Prescription renewal should be written out every month, and should stick to the proper supply according to treatment plan. Any possession of cannabis without such a prescription constitutes a criminal offense under the Ministerial Announcement B.E. 2568 and the Controlled Herbs Act.
The law imposes strict conditions on eligible users. Individuals must be at least twenty years old, and pregnant women are categorically prohibited from using cannabis under any circumstances, including for medical reasons. Furthermore, consumption must take place in private as public consumption of cannabis is expressly forbidden and may lead to criminal prosecution. According to the current provisions, individuals found consuming cannabis in public spaces may be fined up to 25,000 Thai Baht and sentenced to up to three months’ imprisonment.
The law further stipulates that the method of administration must correspond to the prescribed medical treatment. Any product with a THC content above 0.2% is considered a narcotic under the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522, and is subject to tighter controls. In any event, certifcates shall be supplied on demand to provide evidence of legal possession and use.
Cultivation under the new weed law in Thailand
The cultivation of cannabis in Thailand is now subject to a comprehensive licensing regime administered by the DTAM. Only individuals or legal entities that obtain prior approval may engage in cultivation activities. The application process requires the submission of a detailed business plan, environmental controls, seed sourcing, intended medical applications, and evidence of compliance with Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). These practices include guidelines on soil testing, pest control, and harvest traceability to ensure consistency in the medicinal properties of cannabis crops.
Applicants must also prove that they possess the financial and technical resources to conduct the activity in a secure and hygienic environment. Once licensed, cultivators must submit regular reports to the DTAM, detailing planting schedules, output volumes, sales or transfers of biomass, and storage conditions. Each phase of the supply chain must be verifiable, and the authorities have the right to conduct random inspections.
Home cultivation is prohibited unless the individual is a registered medical patient or a licensed traditional medicine practitioner, and even in such cases, prior approval must be granted. Cultivation outside the terms of a license constitutes an offense under Article 12 of the Ministerial Announcement B.E. 2568. Violators are subject to criminal and financial sanctions, and cannabis found in unauthorized cultivation sites is subject to immediate confiscation and destruction under the supervision of DTAM officers.
Sale under the new weed law in Thailand
Distribution restrictions
The sale of cannabis in Thailand has been restructured to limit access strictly to medical patients. Only licensed dispensaries or pharmacies are authorized to sell cannabis or cannabis-based products. These establishments must operate under a license issued by the DTAM, which requires a rigorous vetting process, including background checks on shareholders, compliance with storage and labeling standards, and integration with a national traceability system.
Sales are permitted only upon presentation of a valid medical prescription. Each transaction must be logged in a digital registry indicating the patient’s name, the prescribing physician, the prescribed dosage, and the specific product dispensed. The law expressly prohibits the sale of cannabis to individuals without proper documentation, and any violation of this provision is considered an illegal distribution of a controlled substance, punishable under both the Controlled Herbs Act and the Narcotics Act.
Advertising restrictions
In addition, cannabis-related businesses are subject to strict advertising restrictions. Article 9 of the Ministerial Announcement B.E. 2568 prohibits all forms of direct and indirect advertising. This includes traditional media, such as newspapers and television, as well as digital platforms and social media. Businesses are not allowed to promote cannabis products or their supposed benefits, even if they are intended for medical use. Violations of the advertising ban may result in administrative sanctions, fines, and revocation of business licenses.
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Import and export under the new weed law in Thailand
The export and import of cannabis products are now permitted only under narrowly defined conditions. Entities seeking to import or export cannabis must obtain prior approval from the DTAM and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Thailand. The products must be designated for medical or research purposes and must not exceed the THC threshold of 0.2%, unless specifically authorized under the Narcotics Act for scientific use.
Applicants must submit full documentation demonstrating the legality of the transaction in both the country of origin and the destination. Shipments must be accompanied by export or import permits, medical certificates, and testing reports verifying THC levels. Customs officers are authorized to inspect, seize, and destroy any shipment that fails to comply with applicable laws.
Unauthorized cross-border movement of cannabis is a criminal offense under the Customs Act B.E. 2560, the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522, and the Controlled Herbs Act B.E. 2562. Individuals or companies engaged in such activities may face prosecution, monetary fines, and imprisonment.
Sanctions under the new weed law in Thailand
Sanctions of non-compliance fall under the supervision of several agencies; namely, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the DTAM, the Royal Thai Police, and The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). These are the bodies that are authorized to undertake regular inspections, investigate complaints about violations of the rules, and bring administrative or criminal actions against both individuals and companies.
Infractions can result in serious punishment. Illegal growing, production, or distribution of cannabis may result in business closure, fines, and a five years maximum prison sentence with leniency varying on a case by case basis. Illicit use of cannabis in public is punishable by fines of up to 25,000 THB as well as imprisonment for up to three months. Goods imported or exported by illegal means can be seized on the spot, or its trade permit can be revoked by the state, with the trader prosecuted under various Thai trade laws.
Failure to comply with reporting, licensing, or advertising obligations may also result in administrative penalties. The authorities maintain a register of violators, and repetitive offenses may lead to blacklisting and permanent exclusion from cannabis-related activities in Thailand.
Conclusion
The reform of the weed law in Thailand in 2025 marks a deliberate and structured return to a regime that prioritizes public health and legal certainty. The new law tightly restricts legal cannabis consumption to verified medical patients, and creates substantial provisions to regulate cultivation, distribution, and foreign exchange. The government has clearly rejected the path of recreational liberalization, favoring instead a model grounded in accountability, traceability, and clinical oversight.
Compliance with this new legal framework is not optional. Individuals and businesses must ensure that they fully understand and adhere to the provisions of the Ministerial Announcement B.E. 2568 and related statutes. Legal counsel is strongly recommended for any actor involved in the cannabis supply chain, from cultivators and pharmaceutical companies to dispensaries and exporters. Failure to align with the law may result in severe legal consequences, including criminal prosecution.
FAQ
You need a valid prescription from a licensed Thai medical professional. Only 30 days’ supply can be purchased at a time from licensed dispensaries.
No. Public consumption is banned. Violations are punishable by fines or imprisonment.
A license from the DTAM is required for any cannabis-related business. Records must be submitted monthly, as per Article 4 and Section 7 of the relevant ministerial and narcotics regulations.
No. Article 9 of the Ministerial Announcement B.E. 2568 strictly prohibits any form of cannabis promotion.
Only for medical use and only if licensed by the DTAM. The cultivation must comply with GACP standards. Unlicensed cultivation is prohibited under Article 12.