Thailand’s cannabis laws have undergone rapid transformation. In June 2022, Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis. Three years later, in June 2025, the government reversed course, reclassifying cannabis flower as a “controlled herb” and effectively ending the open recreational market.
In April 2026, two further ministerial regulations took effect — one tightening extract licensing under the Narcotics Act, the other rewriting cannabis-flower licensing under the controlled-herbs framework. A draft Cannabis and Hemp Act is in formal public consultation through 21 May 2026.
Today, cannabis in Thailand operates under a medical framework. For a full overview, visit our legal hub and medical cannabis guide. Here is everything you need to know about the current legal status as of May 2026.
The Short Answer
Is cannabis legal in Thailand in 2026?
Cannabis is legal for medical use with a PT 33 prescription. Without a prescription, purchasing or possessing cannabis flower is a violation of current regulations.
CBD products (under 0.2% THC) remain legal without a prescription.
Timeline: How We Got Here
June 9, 2022 — Decriminalization
Thailand removed cannabis from its Category 5 narcotics list, becoming the first country in Asia to decriminalize it. Cannabis extracts with more than 0.2% THC remained controlled, but cannabis plant material was effectively legal. Within months, thousands of cannabis shops opened across the country.
2022-2025 — The Open Market Era
During this period, cannabis was available for purchase by anyone over 20 years old. An estimated 18,433 cannabis shops operated across Thailand at the peak. No prescription was required. The market was largely unregulated, leading to quality and safety concerns.
June 25, 2025 — The Reversal
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin issued ministerial orders reclassifying cannabis flower as a “controlled herb” under existing pharmaceutical regulations. Key changes:
- Cannabis flower sales now require medical supervision
- Dispensaries must have a licensed practitioner on-site
- Patients must have a PT 33 prescription to purchase cannabis flower
- Consumption is limited to medical use
January 2026 — Enforcement Tightens
Additional enforcement measures took effect, requiring all remaining dispensaries to have certified traditional medicine practitioners or other qualified prescribers on-site during all operating hours. Dispensaries unable to comply were required to close.
April 1, 2026 — Shop-to-Clinic Policy Announcement
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat — who succeeded Somsak Thepsuthin earlier in the term — confirmed that cannabis shops renewing licences must upgrade into medical facilities, pharmacies, herbal product retailers, or traditional healer workplaces. Director-General of DTAM, Dr Phongsathorn Phokphoemdee, set a three-year transition window. Government estimates roughly 3,000 outlets will complete the transition out of the original 18,000+.
April 26, 2026 — New Extract Regulation in Force
The Ministerial Regulation on permission to produce, import, export, sell or possess Category 5 narcotics, specifically cannabis or hemp plant extracts, B.E. 2569 (2026) — published in the Royal Gazette on 26 March 2026 — took effect 30 days later. Extracts containing more than 0.2% THC by weight remain Category 5 narcotics and are limited to four permitted uses: medical, analysis/education/research, industrial, and official narcotics-suppression activity. Foreign-owned entities are excluded; old licences from the 2020–2021 framework remain valid only until 31 December 2026.
April 30, 2026 — New Cannabis-Flower Licensing Rules
Ministerial Regulation (No. 2) B.E. 2569 on the Permission for Study, Research, or Export of Controlled Herbs, or Sale, or Processing of Controlled Herbs for Commercial Purposes — published in the Royal Gazette on 30 April 2026. It overlays cannabis-flower-specific criteria on top of the existing controlled-herbs licensing framework:
- Premises ownership or written consent of the owner
- Dedicated storage — quality-controlled, separated, off-floor
- Qualifying applicant status — must already hold a hospital, herbal-product, pharmaceutical, folk-healer, or Section 46 cultivation licence
- DTAM-trained staff on duty during all operating hours
- Odor and smoke elimination system
Existing licences continue until their original expiry, but renewal is now treated as a full re-qualification under the new criteria.
May 13, 2026 — Cannabis & Hemp Act in Public Consultation
The Ministry of Public Health opened formal public consultation on the draft Cannabis and Hemp Act from 22 April through 21 May 2026, with the bill expected to move to parliamentary consideration shortly after. Minister Pattana Promphat publicly confirmed the government “has never had a free cannabis policy” and supports medical use and economic benefits only.
The Impact
As of May 2026, approximately 7,297 of 18,433 cannabis shops have closed (40%), leaving an estimated 11,136 still operating under the medical framework. The closure rate has been highest among small recreational-focused shops that could not afford to hire licensed practitioners. A further 4,587 licences expire in 2026 and 5,210 in 2027 — each renewal now subject to the new four-criteria gate.
What’s Legal Now (May 2026)
Legal WITH a PT 33 Prescription
- Purchasing cannabis flower from licensed dispensaries
- Possessing cannabis flower (within prescribed quantities)
- Using cannabis-infused medical products (oils, capsules, edibles)
- Consultations at cannabis clinics — see our medical cannabis guide
Legal WITHOUT a Prescription
- CBD and hemp products containing less than 0.2% THC
- Hemp-derived cosmetics and foods
- Hemp fiber and industrial hemp products
- Purchasing CBD at pharmacies, wellness shops, and convenience stores
Requires a Separate License
- Cultivating cannabis (cultivation license from FDA Thailand) — see our complete cannabis farming guide for licensing details
- Operating a cannabis dispensary (retail license)
- Manufacturing cannabis products (manufacturing license)
- Importing or exporting cannabis products (import/export permits)
Illegal
- Purchasing cannabis flower without a PT 33 prescription
- Selling cannabis without proper licensing and practitioner oversight
- Unlicensed cultivation
- Transporting cannabis across international borders (importing/exporting)
- Providing cannabis to persons under 20 years old
- Public consumption in prohibited areas (some municipalities have specific restrictions)
Business Licensing
License Types and Costs
| License Type | Cost (THB) | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Cultivation | 50,000 | Annual |
| Retail/Dispensary | 5,000 | Annual |
| Manufacturing/Processing | 10,000 | Annual |
Ownership Requirements
- Minimum 51% Thai ownership required for all cannabis businesses
- Foreign nationals can own up to 49%
- “Nominee” arrangements are illegal and carry criminal penalties
- Business must be registered as a Thai legal entity
Practitioner Requirements
Since June 2025, all dispensaries must have a licensed practitioner on-site during operating hours. The practitioner must hold cannabis medicine certification from an approved program. For more details, see our cannabis business licensing guide.
Penalties
Enforcement of cannabis regulations has been gradually increasing since the June 2025 changes. Penalties depend on the violation:
Possession Without Prescription
- First offense: Typically a fine
- Repeat offenses: Potential criminal charges
- Quantities suggesting distribution: More severe penalties
Operating Without a License
- Fines and potential business closure
- Criminal prosecution for repeated violations
- Seizure of cannabis products and equipment
Sale to Minors
- Selling cannabis to persons under 20 is a criminal offense with significant penalties
- Applies to both flower and CBD products in some jurisdictions
Import/Export
- Transporting cannabis across international borders is a serious criminal offense
- This applies regardless of the legal status in the destination country
- Penalties include imprisonment
Important note: Penalty amounts and enforcement severity are subject to change as the legal framework continues to evolve. The above reflects the situation as of May 2026.
For Tourists
What You Can Do
- Visit a cannabis clinic, get a PT 33 consultation, and purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary
- Buy CBD products (no prescription needed) from pharmacies and shops
- Use cannabis products in private settings
What You Cannot Do
- Purchase cannabis flower without a PT 33 prescription
- Take any cannabis products out of Thailand (even to countries where cannabis is legal)
- Smoke cannabis in public areas where it is prohibited
- Drive under the influence of cannabis
Practical Tips for Tourists
- Get your PT 33 at a clinic in a major tourist area — they are set up for foreign visitors
- Bring your passport to the clinic
- Walk-in appointments are standard
- The process takes about 30 minutes
- Do NOT pack cannabis in your luggage when leaving Thailand
For a detailed tourist guide, see our Cannabis for Tourists page.
The Cannabis and Hemp Act
Thailand has been working on comprehensive cannabis legislation — the Cannabis and Hemp Act — which would establish a complete legal framework for cannabis regulation. The act has been through multiple drafts and revisions.
Current status (May 2026): The Ministry of Public Health opened formal public consultation on the latest draft from 22 April to 21 May 2026. The bill is expected to advance to parliamentary consideration in the weeks following the consultation close. Until parliament passes the act, cannabis regulation operates under a layered framework of ministerial regulations and notifications.
The act, when passed, is expected to:
- Establish clear categories for medical vs recreational cannabis
- Define specific penalties for violations
- Create a single regulatory body for cannabis oversight
- Address home cultivation rules (the current draft treats non-commercial home cultivation as unpunished, while sale requires a licence)
- Set standards for product testing and labelling
- Mandate electronic dispensing reports and GPS-tracked licence verification
Until the act is passed, the regulatory landscape continues to be shaped by ministerial orders, which can change relatively quickly. For a focused breakdown of the consultation milestone, see our Cannabis and Hemp Act consultation tracker.
Province-Specific Considerations
While the national framework applies across Thailand, some provinces and municipalities have enacted additional local regulations:
- Bangkok — Generally permissive within the medical framework. High concentration of clinics and dispensaries.
- Tourist islands (Phuket, Samui, Phangan) — Strong enforcement of the prescription requirement, but easy access to clinics.
- Border areas — Additional scrutiny near international borders. Cannabis cannot be transported across borders under any circumstances.
- Religious/conservative areas — Some communities have stricter local attitudes toward cannabis, though the legal framework is the same.
CBD: The Unregulated Opportunity
CBD products with less than 0.2% THC remain in a separate regulatory category and are available without a prescription. This includes:
- CBD oils and tinctures — Available at pharmacies and wellness shops
- CBD capsules and supplements — Sold as food supplements
- CBD topicals — Creams, balms, and skincare products
- CBD edibles — Gummies, beverages, and food products
CBD products sold in Thailand should be registered with the FDA Thailand (for food/supplement categories) or meet cosmetic regulations (for topicals). The 0.2% THC threshold is strictly defined.
For more information, see our CBD Thailand Guide.
Staying Updated
Cannabis regulations in Thailand continue to evolve. Changes can happen quickly through ministerial orders without requiring new legislation. We update this guide within 48 hours of any regulatory change.
For the latest updates:
- Follow our News & Articles section
- Check the last-updated date at the top of this page
- Verify specific regulations with a licensed practitioner at a cannabis clinic
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed in Thailand cannabis law in 2026?
Is cannabis legal in Thailand in 2026?
Can tourists buy cannabis in Thailand?
What is a PT 33 prescription?
What are the penalties for illegal cannabis use in Thailand?
Are CBD products legal in Thailand without a prescription?
Can I grow cannabis at home in Thailand?
What is the Cannabis and Hemp Act?
Can I transport cannabis between Thai provinces?
Cannabis for Thailand
Cannabis for Thailand