Thailand’s reversal on cannabis policy is bringing tougher restrictions. Photo credit: My_420_Tours, CC4.0.
Thailand has introduced stricter rules on medical cannabis, limiting prescriptions to just five conditions and tightening oversight of the industry as thousands of dispensaries approach license renewals.
Under the new framework, cannabis flower buds may only be prescribed to patients diagnosed with insomnia, chronic pain, migraines, Parkinson’s disease, or loss of appetite. Prescriptions are valid for up to 30 days and must be issued by licensed doctors or pharmacists. Dispensaries are required to source products from certified farms and are barred from selling online, through vending machines, or via advertising.
To enforce the rules, the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine launched Cannamed Connect, a digital platform designed to manage prescription requests, track patient records, and monitor distribution across licensed outlets.
Director-General Dr. Somruek Chungsaman said the regulations, which took effect in June 2025, aim to bring medical cannabis use under tighter control. Speaking at a September 1 press briefing, Dr. Chungsaman emphasized that the new system will ensure consistency and reduce misuse.
The announcement comes as roughly 12,000 dispensaries prepare for license renewals later this year. Businesses will now face more rigorous requirements, while the department rolls out training programs for medical staff and dispensary workers—known as “budtenders”—and builds a telemedicine network to link prescriptions to a central database.
Industry leaders say the lack of clear standards has long been a challenge, particularly for smaller operators. Speaking to The Nation, Supree Thongpetch, president of the SME Council Association, estimated the medical cannabis market to be worth at least THB36 billion (US$970 million) and said many small businesses had considered leaving the sector before the new framework was introduced.
Sittichai Daengprasert, who chairs the Herbal Industry Group, noted that limited access to certified farms and laboratories remains a significant hurdle. He has proposed that large herbal medicine manufacturers with GMP PICS certification be allowed to test and certify products for smaller companies. According to Sittichai, 214 factories are already equipped to meet these standards and could help open the medical market to more players.