The move follows a campaign promise by the ruling Pheu Thai Party to limit cannabis use strictly for medical purposes. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government introduced the restrictions shortly after the Bhumjaithai Party—an advocate for cannabis legalisation and the second-largest bloc in the ruling coalition—quit the alliance. The fallout occurred over a dispute involving a leaked call between the prime minister and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed the new order earlier this week. He confirmed plans to reclassify cannabis as an illegal narcotic again, shifting it from its current status as a “controlled herb.” The government also plans to require every cannabis dispensary to have a licensed doctor on site to maintain operations under the revised licensing criteria.
The abrupt announcement, published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday night, left businesses without a grace period. Many dispensaries across the country, especially those in tourist areas like Bangkok’s Khaosan Road, shut down the following day to assess the impact. Several entrepreneurs are now exploring the possibility of filing a class-action lawsuit to delay or challenge the new rules.Rattapon Sanrak, owner of Highland Cafe in Bangkok, said most cannabis farms are not yet GACP-certified, meaning many products could now be considered illegal. He warned that these changes could force unregulated cannabis products into the underground market. “These moves are political revenge, but it’s the public who’ll pay,” Rattapon said.
Activists and pro-cannabis groups have sharply criticised the sudden policy shift. The group *Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future* has called for a public protest at the Ministry of Public Health on July 7. Secretary-General Prasitchai Nunual warned that strict prescription requirements could encourage corruption and the sale of fake medical certificates. “A medical certificate can absolutely be bought,” he said, calling the new rules ineffective at stopping recreational use.
Phanurat Lukboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, confirmed that his agency is prepared to study and implement the legal change. He also pointed to rising cannabis addiction cases since decriminalisation, based on a study conducted by his office last year.
Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsab said the new restrictions were introduced after complaints that cannabis was too easily accessible to children and the general public. Officials also noted a recent increase in cannabis smuggling involving tourists.
Thailand’s cannabis industry was estimated to be worth 28 billion baht (about $865 million) in 2022. Analysts from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce had predicted the market could grow to 43 billion baht by 2025. However, business owners now fear that these projections may no longer hold as the legal and regulatory landscape shifts again.
