Cannabis in Thailand

Nowadays, Cannabis in Thailand is a topic that has gained great relevance in modern society. As time progresses, many people are interested in this topic and want to delve deeper into it. And it is no wonder, since Cannabis in Thailand arouses the curiosity and interest of a wide spectrum of people, from experts in the field to those who simply seek information. That is why in this article we are going to delve into the exciting world of Cannabis in Thailand, exploring its various facets and analyzing its impact today. Without a doubt, this article will serve as a starting point for those who want to learn more about Cannabis in Thailand and delve into its fascinating universe.

Cannabis in Thailand
Location of Thailand (dark green)
MedicinalLegal
RecreationalDecriminalized
HempLegal
Bottles of cannabis-infused drink on a "healthy drink" shelf of a convenience store in Bangkok, photo taken in 2023

In Thailand, cannabis, known by the name Ganja (Thai: กัญชา; RTGS: kancha), is currently (as of November 2024) decriminalized. However, cannabis extracts and products are officially limited to 0.2% THC content.[1][2] Only medicinal use is legal, but in practice there is wide recreational usage.[3] Legislation has been proposed which provides for fines for non-permitted uses and fines and jail time for unauthorized sale.[4]

Import and export of cannabis are still highly regulated.

Sales of cannabis plant parts, products, and edibles are prohibited to minors (under 20-years-old), pregnant women, and breastfeeding women. Cannabis smoke is considered a public nuisance and thus prohibited in public areas.[5][6] Public use is sometimes subject to fines under the 1992 Public Health Act.[2]

On 8 May 2022, Thailand's health minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced in a Facebook post that the government will distribute one million free cannabis plants to households across the country, starting on the 9 June. The move is said to be a step further into Thailand's plan to use cannabis as a cash crop.[7][8]

History

Cannabis appears to have been introduced to Thailand from India, with the similarity of the Thai name to the Indian term ganja cited as evidence.[9] Cannabis has historically been used in Southeast Asia as an ingredient, a kitchen condiment, a medicine, and a source of fiber.[10] Laborers were known to use it as a muscle relaxer. It was reportedly used to ease women's labor pains.[11]

Packages of drumstick-shaped chips claiming to "contain cannabis leaves" sold at a supermarket in Bangkok

The possession, cultivation, sale, and use of cannabis were criminalised by the Cannabis Act 2477 BE (1935)[12] and again by the Narcotics Act 2522 BE (1979).

In 2018, Thailand became the first Asian nation to legalize medical cannabis.[13][14] Medicinal cannabis, with no THC restrictions, was made legal but required patients to obtain a prescription from a medical practitioner.

Although medicinal cannabis was decriminalised, consumption, in particular smoking or vaping in public places is still subject to punishment under the Public Health Act 2535 BE (1992) as a public nuisance infraction and can lead to a 25,000 Baht fine.[15][16][17]

Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party who became health minister and deputy prime minister in 2019, campaigned on legalizing cannabis and cannabis cultivation in Thailand.[14][18]

In June 2022, the cannabis flower was removed from the country's narcotics list[18] and thus effectively decriminalized. Around 4,200 prisoners were released as a result of the decriminalisation.[19] Cannabis extracts and cannabis products (including edibles, food supplements, cosmetics, etc.) containing less than 0.2% THC were legalized; those with higher THC content continue to require a doctor's order. The new policy also promoted small-scale cannabis farming.

Cannabis dispensaries were available as early as April 2022.[20] Numerous cannabis dispensaries have since opened. Technically, all sales of cannabis are for medical purposes, but the dispensaries do not require buyers to provide doctor's prescriptions.[18]

There have since been efforts to write legislation that would remove the legal gray area around sale of recreational cannabis.[18][1]

Regulations

Age

The minimum age to buy, possess and use cannabis in Thailand is 20-years-old.[21][2][22]

Consumption

Cannabis smoking is legal for personal use in private areas but prohibited in public areas by the Public Health Act 2535 BE (1992) with the fine being up to 25,000 Baht (~US$700) and or imprisonment for up to 3 months.[19]

Cannabis is illegal for possession and use by those who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, with an exception being granted if they can prove they have the permission of a doctor.[2][22]

Medicinal cannabis

Medical cannabis products, including oils and tinctures, with over 0.2% THC requires a prescription for use.[5][6] This includes consumption by smoking or vaping.

Recreational cannabis

Recreational cannabis, often referred to as 'recreational marijuana' or 'marijuana', has become legal under Thai Law.[citation needed]

Industrial Hemp

Cannabis or hemp extracts containing less than 0.2% THC is allowed without any restrictions. The most common CBD products are oils, tinctures, gummies, lotions and balms.

Cannabis extracts

Cannabis extracts, including hashish, are still considered a Category 5 narcotic as long as they contain over 0.2% THC. On 9 February 2024 it was announced in the Royal Gazette that the possession of more than 30 grams or 30 milliliters is considered as an intent to distribute. [23]

Cultivation

In order to cultivate cannabis, individuals must register with the country's Food and Drug Administration.[24] There are currently no restrictions on how many plants each individual can cultivate. The specific law regulating cannabis is still pending in Thai parliament as of 2023. However, the government urges people to register their cannabis plantation on the website or the application "Plookganja" (meaning "to plant cannabis") in case that the future cannabis law may require the license.[25]

Supply

Thai law essentially excludes all foreign companies as well as foreign majority companies incorporated in Thailand from producing, selling, importing, exporting, and processing cannabis. The move has been viewed as an effort to protect local companies from the onslaught of highly resourceful and modern technology equipped foreign actors, however "imported" strains are widely available and dominated the market.[26][27]

Distribution

Thailand's first two full-time clinics dispensing cannabis oil for medical treatment were inaugurated in January 2020.[28] The move is in line with the government's intentions to promote licensed use of medical marijuana to address various health conditions. These two clinics are an addition to 25 part-time clinics that are operating since the legalisation of the drug under the new legislation.[29] If this experience produces promising results, the government is all set to open two more clinics as a part of a planned nationwide network of marijuana clinics.[30] The people who were using illegal expensive medical marijuana from underground suppliers are most likely to benefit from it. In addition, the FDA has approved all hospitals of the Public Health Ministry to prescribe medical cannabis to people with approved medical conditions.[31][32]

As of 2025, Thailand has over 11,200 approved cannabis dispensaries, reflecting a significant expansion of access to medical cannabis in the country.[33] This expansion is part of Thailand's broader strategy to integrate cannabis into healthcare and leverage its potential economic benefits. To legally operate a cannabis dispensary in Thailand, businesses must obtain relevant licenses, including a Cannabis distribution license from the FDA for selling cannabis flowers or leaves. The establishment of a Thai Limited Company with the majority of shares owned by Thai nationals is also required.

  • Medical cannabis dispensary clinic in Thailand in 2022.
    Medical cannabis dispensary clinic in Thailand in 2022.
  • Cannabis bar in Thailand in 2022.
    Cannabis bar in Thailand in 2022.
  • Cannabis edibles sold in a supermarket in Thailand in 2023.
    Cannabis edibles sold in a supermarket in Thailand in 2023.
  • Cannabis shop and bar in Chaweng, Koh Samui, Thailand.
    Cannabis shop and bar in Chaweng, Koh Samui, Thailand.
  • "Copper Pipe", Cannabis shop in Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand.
    "Copper Pipe", Cannabis shop in Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand.
  • Three neighbouring cannabis outlets.
    Three neighbouring cannabis outlets.
  • Premium Cannabis Dispensary in AoNang
    The WeedLand Krabi - Premium Cannabis Dispensary in AoNang

References

  1. ^ a b "Is weed still legal in Thailand? Here's what tourists need to know as government u-turns". www.euronews.com. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Stuart, Aydan; Bush, Austin (30 August 2022). "Cannabis is now legal in Thailand, but it's complicated: what travelers need to know". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  3. ^ Campbell, Charlie (10 April 2023). "How Thailand's Deputy PM Could Score the Top Job—and Redefine the Country's Politics". Time. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  4. ^ Symons, Angela (7 November 2024). "Is weed still legal in Thailand? Here's what tourists need to know as government u-turns". Euronews. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Notifications of the Ministry of Health Re : Specifying the Category V Narcotic Substance 2565 BE (2022 AD)" (PDF). Royal Thai Government Gazette. 8 February 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 April 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Act Promulgating the Narcotic Code 2564 BE (2021 AD)" (PDF). Royal Thai Government Gazette. 7 November 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
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  9. ^ Martin, Marie Alexandrine (January 1975). "Ethnobotanical Aspects of Cannabis in Southeast Asia". In Rubin, Vera (ed.). Cannabis and Culture. Mouton Publishers. pp. 63–76. ISBN 9027976694. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
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  19. ^ a b "ปลดล็อกกัญชา 9 มิ.ย.นี้ ทำอะไรได้แค่ไหน สายเขียวปุ๊นในที่สาธารณะได้หรือไม่" (in Thai). ไทยรัฐ. 12 June 2022. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  20. ^ "Cannabis US company opens medical marijuana clinic in Thailand". 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
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  25. ^ "Plookganja.fda.moph.go.th". Food and Drug Administration of Thailand. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
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  27. ^ Sabaghi, Dario. "Thailand's Election Results May Reverse Cannabis Policy". Forbes. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Thailand launches full-time clinics dispensing cannabis oil". AP News. Associated Press. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  29. ^ "Inside Thailand's free cannabis clinic". France 24. 6 January 2020. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  30. ^ Setboonsarng, Chayut (6 January 2020). "Thailand rolls out cannabis clinic based on traditional medicine". Reuters. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021 – via www.reuters.com.
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  33. ^ "State of Industry: Thailand's Cannabis Market". Retrieved 26 January 2025.