Thailand Cannabis Ban: $1 Billion Industry at Risk
- BANGKOK - Thailand is weighing a reversal on recreational cannabis,potentially throwing it's burgeoning billion-dollar cannabis industry into turmoil.
- The health ministry issued an order Tuesday that would classify cannabis as a narcotic and mandate prescriptions for retail sales.
- The push to reimpose controls on recreational cannabis follows the Bhumjaithai party's withdrawal from the ruling coalition.
Thailand’s booming cannabis market faces potential recriminalization,threatening a lucrative billion-dollar industry. News Directory 3 reports that the government is planning to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, requiring prescriptions for retail purchases, a stark contrast to the decriminalization just three years ago. This sudden shift could severely impact thousands of cannabis businesses that have flourished, particularly in tourist areas. This dramatic move stems from political changes and concerns over unregulated access. Business owners are expressing strong concerns, while activists highlight policy inconsistency. Tourists and locals are left questioning the practicality of such a significant reversal. The impending rules publication in the Royal Gazette will set the next stage for the cannabis industry in Thailand. discover what’s next …
Thailand reconsiders Cannabis recreational Use Ban,Impacting Billion-Dollar Industry
Updated June 26,2025
BANGKOK – Thailand is weighing a reversal on recreational cannabis,potentially throwing it’s burgeoning billion-dollar cannabis industry into turmoil. The move comes just two years after the country decriminalized the substance.
The health ministry issued an order Tuesday that would classify cannabis as a narcotic and mandate prescriptions for retail sales. Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin confirmed the impending change. The new regulations will take effect once published in the Royal Gazette.
The push to reimpose controls on recreational cannabis follows the Bhumjaithai party‘s withdrawal from the ruling coalition. The party had championed legalization. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said unregulated cannabis access has created social problems, especially among young people. He added that the policy must revert to medical use only.
Since decriminalization three years ago, thousands of cannabis shops have opened across Thailand, particularly in tourist hotspots. The Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated the cannabis industry’s value,including medicinal products,at $1.2 billion by 2025.
punnathat Phutthisawong,who works at a Bangkok dispensary,expressed shock at the potential recriminalization. “This is my main source of income,” the 25-year-old said. “Many shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily.”
Cannabis activist Chokwan Kitty Chopaka said policy reversals have hindered sustainable growth. “The cannabis industry has become a hostage to politics,” Chopaka said.
Despite the uncertainty, tourists continued to visit cannabis shops in Bangkok’s Khao San Road area. Daniel Wolf, an Australian tourist, questioned the feasibility of reversing course. “There are shops everywhere, so how do they reverse this? I don’t think they can,” Wolf said.”It’s absolutely insane.”
What’s next
The publication of the new rules in the Royal Gazette is expected soon. The government will then need to address the concerns of business owners and navigate the political complexities of the situation.