Tobacco Asia News & Views Podcast #46
Thomas Schmid interviews Jordan Herring, c.e.o. of Hidden Valley Genetics, discussing the rapid changes in Thailand’s cannabis laws. In 2022, Thailand became the first Asian country to legalize cannabis, creating a booming industry but with little regulatory framework. In June 2025, the government reversed course, making recreational use illegal again and restricting cannabis to medical use only, which now requires medical prescriptions and on-site doctors at dispensaries. The interview highlights the economic, legal, and social consequences of these policy shifts, the struggles of small business owners, and the ongoing adaptation of the industry to new regulations.
Delving deep, Jordan explains the real-life impact on the industry, especially small dispensaries unable to afford medical staff, leading to thousands of closures. The conversation covers the challenges of compliance, the effect on local and export markets, and the persistence of a black market. Jordan also details his involvement with THIPA, an industry group that helped shape new regulations and secure Thailand’s status as a legal exporter of medical cannabis.
Link to Tobacco Asia News and Views Podcast #46
The Tobacco Asia podcast is hosted by Thomas Schmid, contributing editor at Tobacco Asia magazine, and brought to you in conjunction with Business Insights, the new digital platform of Messe Dortmund and their InterTabac/InterSupply events, the world’s leading and largest tobacco exhibitions.