Thailand has enacted a major overhaul of its cannabis regulatory framework, sharply restricting the legal sale and use of cannabis to licensed medical and authorised healthcare facilities as part of a strategy to prioritise public health and tighten oversight of the market.

Under the updated ministerial regulation approved by the Cabinet and under review by the Office of the Council of State, commercial cannabis distribution will be confined to a narrow set of authorised venues including medical treatment facilities with physician prescriptions, pharmacies, traditional herbal product retailers and licensed practitioners of Thai traditional medicine.

Sales through online platforms or vending machines will be prohibited, and cannabis advertising will be banned under the new regime, reflecting authorities’ intent to curb recreational consumption and remove the widespread, loosely regulated retail presence that emerged following liberalisation earlier in the decade.

The regulation responds to a dramatic contraction in commercial outlets, with more than seven thousand cannabis shops closing in 2025 as licensing renewals fell sharply and many businesses chose not to revalidate under stricter standards.

Dispensaries that remain must employ certified medical personnel responsible for prescribing and dispensing cannabis products, and each prescription will be limited to a defined supply period aligned with treatment needs.

Patients seeking medical cannabis will now require an authorised prescription from qualified healthcare professionals, and premises must meet enhanced operational requirements, including odour control and comprehensive quality and safety standards.

The tightening reflects the government’s efforts to balance legitimate therapeutic access with stronger controls on misuse and unregulated commerce, as officials seek to stabilise the sector and protect communities from the impact of unfettered recreational use under previous policies.