Cannabis Laws in Thailand in 2025: Legal Status, Rules & Restrictions

In 2022, Thailand made global headlines by becoming the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis. But as of September 2025, the legal landscape has changed drastically. Thailand now restricts cannabis use strictly for medical purposes, with heavy regulation of cannabis flowers and tighter licensing rules for dispensaries.

If you’re a cannabis user, business owner, or tourist in Thailand, it’s critical to understand the current legal status of marijuana in Thailand, what is permitted, and what’s now prohibited.

Quick Summary: Is Marijuana Legal in Thailand in 2025?

• ✅ Medical cannabis is legal — but only with a prescription for specific conditions.
• ❌ Recreational cannabis use is no longer permitted.
• ❌ Cannabis flower (buds) is now classified as a controlled herb.
• ✅ Other parts of the plant (leaves, stems) are still unregulated.
• ❌ No online or vending machine sales allowed.
• ❌ No cannabis advertising or public sales (e.g. parks, temples, schools).
• 💊 Medical prescriptions are valid for only 30 days and must be issued by licensed professionals.

Overview: From Decriminalization to Medical-Only Use

Thailand’s Cannabis Journey (2022–2025)

• June 2022: Cannabis decriminalized, removed from narcotics list.
• Thousands of dispensaries opened across Thailand, many selling cannabis for recreational use under medical pretense.
• Concerns over youth access, addiction, and lack of regulation grew.
• June 2025: Government reversed course with strict new regulations, refocusing cannabis use solely on medical treatment.

Key Cannabis Laws in Thailand (as of September 2025)

What This Means for Patients

Patients in Thailand can still access medical cannabis, but the rules are much stricter:

You must:

• Visit a licensed doctor or traditional medicine practitioner.
• Have a qualifying medical condition (from the approved list).
• Obtain a written prescription that is valid for only 30 days.
• Buy only from a licensed medical dispensary or clinic.

Prescriptions are tracked via a new national telemedicine system, helping prevent misuse and repeat prescriptions.

What This Means for Dispensaries and Businesses

The cannabis business sector is under pressure:

• 12,000+ dispensaries must now renew their licenses under the stricter 2025 regulations.
• Products must come from certified farms meeting Thai GACP standards.
• No more online sales, third-party delivery apps, or vending machines.
• Budtenders and staff must be trained under new certification programs.
• Dispensaries must operate under medical clinic standards.

This represents a major shift away from the open retail cannabis model that exploded after 2022.

Impact on Tourists and Foreign Visitors

If you are visiting Thailand, here’s what you need to know:

• You cannot legally buy cannabis for recreational use anymore.
• You can only purchase cannabis if you:
  • Have a medical condition covered by the approved list.
  • Visit a Thai-licensed doctor and receive a prescription.
• Tourist use of cannabis in public places is illegal and subject to fines or arrest.
• Bringing cannabis into Thailand or taking it out is strictly prohibited.

Bottom line: Tourists should not expect to buy or use cannabis legally unless they go through the proper medical process.

Why Did Thailand Change Its Cannabis Laws?

There were several drivers behind the shift:

1. Youth addiction concerns: Media and public backlash over easy access among minors.
2. Unregulated market: Thousands of shops opened without clear health standards.
3. Political conflict: Ruling coalition parties disagreed on how cannabis should be managed.
4. Pressure from medical and public health sectors to prevent recreational normalization.

The new rules are designed to restore public trust, reduce misuse, and align cannabis use with health-oriented goals.

What Comes Next? Areas to Watch

1. Regulatory enforcement – Will authorities consistently enforce the new laws?
2. Clinic adaptation – Can dispensaries effectively convert into compliant medical facilities?
3. Lab testing bottlenecks – Lack of certified labs may delay product certification.
4. Farmer access – Small farmers may struggle to meet new GMP/GACP standards.
5. Future policy shifts – Political dynamics could shift again depending on future elections or court challenges.

FAQ about Marijuana Laws in Thailand (2025)