Thailand has decisively moved to shut down recreational cannabis use, with authorities tightening regulations to restrict the industry strictly to medical purposes.

The policy marks a significant evolution in the country’s approach, following its landmark decision in 2022 to decriminalise cannabis and open the door to widespread public access.

Under the updated framework, cannabis is now classified as a controlled substance for medical use only, requiring prescriptions from licensed professionals.

Retailers must transition into regulated medical facilities such as clinics or pharmacies, with trained personnel overseeing distribution and compliance.

The shift reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening public health safeguards, ensuring responsible usage and maintaining social order.

Officials have emphasised that the revised approach is designed to align cannabis policy with long-standing medical traditions while preventing misuse and unregulated commercial expansion.

The impact has been immediate across the industry.

Thousands of cannabis outlets established during the initial liberalisation phase have closed or are adapting to stricter licensing requirements, signalling a transition toward a more structured and professionalised sector.

Despite the regulatory tightening, Thailand continues to support medical cannabis as part of its healthcare and traditional medicine system, reinforcing its role as a regional leader in regulated, science-based applications of the plant.

The move underscores a broader recalibration of policy, as Thailand balances innovation with stability and reinforces a framework that prioritises public wellbeing while maintaining economic opportunity in controlled sectors.