Why tourists can no longer easily buy cannabis in Thailand
Tourists in Thailand are finding it much harder to buy cannabis as the government tightens regulations and rolls back the country’s once-liberal marijuana policy.
Thailand decriminalised cannabis in June 2022, triggering a boom in dispensaries across the country. But officials have since shifted course, banning recreational use and restricting cannabis sales to medical and research purposes only.
As a result, thousands of cannabis shops have closed. Health Ministry data shows that of 8,636 shop licences that expired in 2025, only 15.5% were renewed. More than 7,000 businesses chose to shut down.
Under the new rules, cannabis flower is now classified as a “controlled herb” and can only be purchased with a prescription from a licensed medical professional. Customers are limited to a 30-day supply.
Tourists can still access medical cannabis, but only after consulting a Thai doctor and obtaining a medical certificate, a process that makes casual purchases far less common.
Dispensaries are also now required to employ licensed medical or traditional medicine practitioners on-site.
Other restrictions include a ban on cannabis advertising, prohibition of online sales, and rules against selling in certain public areas. Smoking cannabis in public is illegal and can result in fines of up to 25,000 baht (about US$1,000).
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
