Thailand's cabinet has approved a draft Cannabis Control Act that restricts marijuana use to medical treatment and research, effectively closing the door on recreational consumption that had expanded since the 2022 decriminalization. The bill, approved on September 22, 2026, now proceeds to the House of Representatives and Senate for deliberation before becoming law.
What the new law would change
The proposed legislation establishes a national regulatory framework covering cultivation, sales, advertising, and consumption. Cannabis use would be limited to medical purposes under authorized health professionals, with recreational use explicitly prohibited.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine would issue three-year licenses for cultivation, production, import, export, and sale. Sales of cannabis roots, stems, branches, leaves, and seeds would be exempt from licensing requirements.
Sales would be banned for anyone under 20 years old, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women. Locations barred from selling cannabis include temples, schools, dormitories, public parks, zoos, and amusement parks.
Advertising, promotion, and marketing of cannabis flower, resin, and smoking equipment would be prohibited under the draft law.
Current rules still in effect
Until the new Act passes parliament, existing ministerial regulations continue to govern cannabis under a medical-only framework that took effect in June 2025, when cannabis flower was designated a controlled herb.
To legally purchase cannabis flower now, patients must present a valid PT33 prescription from a licensed Thai medical practitioner. Foreign medical cannabis cards and prescriptions are not recognized.
Public consumption remains illegal — smoking on streets, beaches, in parks, or on hotel balconies where the smell might drift carries fines up to 25,000 baht and up to three months in prison.
Bringing cannabis into or out of Thailand is illegal. Online sales and vending machine distribution are prohibited. Vaping devices remain entirely illegal under separate laws.
Medical conditions covered
The prescription program covers 15 conditions, including chronic pain, cancer, Parkinson's disease, seizures, insomnia, and depression. Doctors may also prescribe cannabis for other ailments at their discretion.
Penalties for violations
Possession of cannabis flower without a valid prescription can result in fines up to 20,000 baht — roughly three months of wages for a minimum-wage worker in Bangkok — and up to one year in prison.
Unauthorized production, import, export, or sale carries imprisonment and fines up to 100,000 baht for sellers operating without proper licenses or selling to unauthorized individuals. Businesses face license revocation for selling to minors or pregnant women.
Any prison sentence exceeding 31 days, whether suspended or served, can lead to deportation and blacklisting for foreign nationals.
Industry consolidation underway
The regulatory shift has already forced significant changes in Thailand's cannabis market. As of February 2026, 7,297 of 18,433 cannabis outlets nationwide had shut down after failing to renew licenses under stricter rules.
Existing dispensary licenses will progressively expire by 2028. Businesses that wish to continue operating must convert into licensed medical facilities with qualified health practitioners on-site to dispense cannabis under prescription.
Authorities have entered over 10,000 registered cannabis businesses and cultivation sites into a digital tracking system as of September 2026. The government is backing investment in processing facilities that meet international safety standards, shifting focus from raw exports to quality-controlled medical products.
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat stated that the legislation aims to balance medical access with protections against inappropriate consumption, citing public health data showing increased cases of cannabis poisoning, addiction, and psychosis since 2022.
