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Cannabis in Thailand is Up in Smoke
New Thai Government crackdown on recreational Marijuana
BANGKOK, THAILAND – 27 June 2025 –Three years after the widespread legalisation of cannabis in Thailand, the government plans to tighten the rules again and reclassify it as a narcotic, local media reported.
The Bangkok Post newspaper, citing a decree by Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, reported on Thursday that a doctor’s prescription will be required to purchase marijuana and other cannabis products in future.
In future, anyone wishing to sell or process marijuana will also have to obtain the appropriate licences and report the origin and quantity of cannabis in their possession.
The ministerial decree will come into force as soon as it is published in the official gazette. Media reports suggest this could happen in the next few days.
Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalise cannabis in June 2022. Since then, the kingdom has been considered a new mecca for marijuana users from all over the world.
There are now around 18,000 licensed shops, and the industry has developed into a huge sector, especially in tourist areas such as Phuket and Pattaya.
The government’s aim was to boost the pandemic-weakened economy through licensed cultivation.
Officially, cannabis was only approved for medical and industrial use, but since it was removed from the list of illegal drugs, recreational use was no longer prohibited for anyone over the age of 20. A cannabis guide for tourists was published to help weed enthusiasts navigate the regulations.
According to the Thai Narcotics Control Board, however, the number of cannabis addicts has risen significantly since decriminalisation, as well as the number of younger people using it recreationally.
Cannabis activists are planning a mass rally on 7 July in front of the Ministry of Health headquarters in Bangkok.
Owen Hughes
Owen Hughes has more than two decades-worth of experience working in corporate communications and journalism in the Asia-Pacific. He's written news articles, features and analysis for a wide variety of international and regional print, video and digital platforms, as well as for internal company audiences.