What Happened To Recreational Marijuana in Thailand?
For almost three years, Thailand became known worldwide as a fantastic stoner’s paradise.
It was the most unimaginable thing: a country that was once known for its harsh drug laws suddenly turned its head on the stigma of marijuana and became the place to be in Southeast Asia for legal weed. While medical marijuana was decriminalized since December 2018, it wasn’t until June 2022 when recreational weed was legalized – resulting in the growth of thousands of dispensaries and cannabis shops all over the country.
Weed was legalized for economic and agricultural reasons, but of course, it was a hit with tourists. There’s nowhere else in Asia one could go and be able to freely, legally buy weed, except Thailand. It was paradise, many people were happy, and people were profiting from it. The industry was estimated to be valued at a cool $1 billion.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.
After enjoying the reputation of being the very first country in Asia to legalize marijuana, Thailand took a sharp U-turn and has just started prohibiting the sale of weed without a prescription, as announced by the Royal Gazette. Once an order has been published in the Royal Gazette, then it has officially come into law.
Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin signed the new order last week, and it became effective by Thursday following an announcement publication in the Royal Gazette. According to an article by the Bangkok Post, one of the mistakes that led to this was a regulatory issue rooted in the classification of weed as controlled herb according to the Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Protection Act, allowing marijuana shops to proliferate despite a lack of guidelines for medicinal use.
But according to Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub, cannabis legalization caused several issues for young people, as well as for the industry. “The policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only,” he said in a statement.
It’s no secret that there have been opponents to Thailand’s cannabis legalization laws due to increased fears amidst public health concerns, especially surrounding addiction and youth access issues. Political dynamics also played a role, and there have been cases of cannabis smuggling from tourists which add fuel to the fire.
but what really pulled the trigger was when the Bhumjaithai Party, who was a major driving force behind cannabis legalization, and one that controls a major bloc of votes in the country’s northeast, withdrew from the ruling party after the Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra botched a border issue with Cambodia.
What Happens To Dispensaries?
Thousands of weed dispensaries grew like weeds all over the country shortly after recreational weed was legalized in 2022. So what happens to all of them now?
Now, the new order requires anyone who wants to study, sell, export, and process marijuana for commercial purposes to obtain a license. Afterward, they must consistently report their data on the consumption, sources, and quantity of cannabis in their possession. Licensed businesses will be able to continue operations though they are only allowed to source their weed from pharmaceutical-grade growers which have been previously certified by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.
Goodbye to cannabis sold in vending machines, online channels, and networks. Weed, as well as any of its derivatives, are prohibited from being sold in numerous public institutions and it can also no longer be advertised. Anyone who is caught violating these laws can face imprisonment and fines.
According to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, which oversees regulations and enforcement of laws related to marijuana, they will be working with officials around the country to help them adjust to the new changes.
The Department will continue working on new guidelines for law enforcement and prescriptions. Meanwhile, shops will be given ample time to adjust though it remains unclear how long this ‘grace period’ will be.
What Does This Mean For Travelers?
As of June 23, 2025, marijuana is once again a controlled substance in the Kingdom. This means that recreational use is strictly prohibited and illegal, so you can only possess it legally if you have an authorized medical prescription to do so.
Tourists will not be able to buy or consume marijuana flower without a valid prescription from a licensed medical provider in Thailand. Don’t try to cut corners or seek under-the-table deals here; keep in mind that Thai authorities are taking this U-turn seriously and will be enforcing very strict regulations to ensure that illegal cannabis sales don’t slip through the cracks. Violating these laws will lead to harsh penalties, which include but are not limited to, steep fines and even imprisonment.
We don’t have to tell you that you can go to jail, so be wise and don’t try to do anything illegal the next time you’re in Thailand.
Conclusion
It’s been a fun ride in Thailand, albeit a wild and unpredictable one. However, withdrawing from legalization isn’t exactly big news; there have long been whispers and suspicions in the background.
But one can say: it was good while it lasted.
What can we expect moving forward? The cannabis laws may still continue to evolve though it will more likely focus toward a hemp-centered and medical model. There will continue to be strict regulations around THC limits, prescriptions, and cultivation. That said, there may be some grey and black market issues to contend with, especially as businesses and suppliers struggle with obstacles that in licensing and prescriptions.
THAILAND LEGALIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA, READ MORE..
