Thailand , May 23, 2024
Thailand’s once-promising cannabis revolution is unraveling fast. After becoming the first Asian country to decriminalize marijuana in 2022, the Thai government has now reversed its stance, introducing a sweeping ban on recreational cannabis use and tightening restrictions on sales and cultivation. The abrupt policy U-turn has sent shockwaves through the nation’s cannabis sector, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of entrepreneurs who had embraced the country’s brief green boom.
For many dispensary owners, the change has been devastating. “We invested over 1.5 million baht to set up our shop,” said Napat, a Bangkok-based dispensary operator. “Now we don’t even know if we’ll be allowed to keep our doors open.”
The rollback comes as part of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s broader public health campaign, which argues that lax cannabis regulations have led to misuse, increased recreational consumption among youth, and a lack of proper control mechanisms. Under the new policy, cannabis is reclassified as a controlled narcotic, with dispensaries now required to obtain strict medical licenses and comply with pharmaceutical-grade standards.
Industry insiders estimate that more than 6,000 cannabis-related businesses across Thailand are at risk. Many small and mid-sized operations had flourished in tourist hotspots like Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya, serving both locals and foreigners eager to experience Southeast Asia’s first legal cannabis market. But now, most are staring down sudden closures, stock losses, and potential legal issues.
Medical cannabis remains permitted, but the new rules require rigorous documentation, trained medical personnel on-site, and strict product tracking—barriers too high for many existing operators. “We can’t transition overnight into medical clinics,” said a dispensary manager in Phuket. “It’s like asking a coffee shop to become a hospital.”
Health officials defend the move, citing a spike in ER visits linked to cannabis use and fears of uncontrolled supply chains. Yet critics argue the reversal reflects political flip-flopping and poor regulatory planning rather than a true public health strategy. “The government encouraged investment, and now it’s pulling the rug out from under us,” said Piriya, a cannabis grower from Isan.
Thailand’s cannabis sector, once seen as a global leader in Asia, now finds itself in chaos—caught between a booming industry’s ambitions and a government scrambling to put the genie back in the bottle.
