Thailand’s Cabinet has approved proposed legislation aimed at imposing stricter controls on the country’s rapidly expanding cannabis sector, marking another step toward reversing the broad decriminalization introduced in 2022.
Pattana Promphat, the country’s minister for public health, said that the proposed law would tighten supervision of cannabis processing and cultivation while introducing tougher penalties for breaches of the rules.
The Cabinet’s decision came after months of preparation that included a public participation period and an assessment of the legislation’s potential regulatory impact. Public commenting was opened in June before the proposal was reviewed by the Public Health Ministry and submitted to the Cabinet. The bill will now go before Parliament, where lawmakers will consider its provisions.
The proposed framework reflects the government’s intention to confine cannabis primarily to medical purposes. Thailand removed cannabis from its narcotics list in 2022, leading to a rapid growth in dispensaries across Bangkok and popular tourist areas. Current regulations already require customers to obtain prescriptions and restrict sales to authorized medical establishments.
The decriminalization drive was led by the Bhumjaithai Party, which had promoted the policy during the 2019 campaign. Thailand subsequently became the first Asian country to remove cannabis from its narcotics controls. The party is currently pushing for tighter regulation.
Under the new proposal, cultivators would be required to register their growing sites and provide information such as location and plantation size. Officials would use the system to monitor the plant as it moves from cultivation to processing and eventual sale.
Current dispensary permits are due to expire progressively until 2028. Operators seeking to remain in business would have to obtain approval as medical dispensaries and have qualified health practitioners available on their premises.
Separate permits would be required for growing, manufacturing, importing, exporting, and selling marijuana. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine would oversee the licensing process, with permits valid for only three years.
Certain plant materials, including seeds, roots, stems, branches, and foliage, would not require a sales license under the proposed rules.
The measure would also bar cannabis sales to individuals under 20, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. Retail transactions would be prohibited at locations such as amusement parks, temples, schools, dormitories, public parks, and zoos.
Pattana noted that a government monitoring system has recorded 10,000 marijuana cultivation sites and businesses, which account for more than 95% of current operations. Establishments not included in the database shall be treated as potentially operating outside the law, he said.
The international cannabis industry, including established companies like TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF), will be keeping an eye on how the regulatory environment evolves in Thailand and assessing its implications on the broader push to have drug laws eased around the world.
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