Thai officials announced Wednesday new measures to tighten regulations on cannabis sales after the health minister signed an order banning sales to anyone without a prescription.
Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis in 2022, which helped boost tourism and farming and led to a surge in cannabis shops. However, concerns have grown over inadequate regulation, with complaints that the drug has become too accessible to children and has contributed to addiction.
Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed an order Monday prohibiting shops from selling cannabis without a prescription and proposing to reclassify cannabis buds as a controlled herb.
Phanurat Lukboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said Wednesday that the agency is prepared to study and implement these regulatory changes. The order will take effect once published in the Royal Gazette, though the exact timing is uncertain.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party had previously pledged to recriminalize cannabis, but faced pushback from its former coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, which had supported decriminalization. Bhumjaithai left the coalition last week following a leaked phone conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
Somsak indicated on Tuesday his intention to relist cannabis as a narcotic in the future. This move follows reports of a recent surge in cannabis smuggling cases involving tourists.
Phanurat cited a study from his agency last year that showed a significant rise in cannabis addiction since decriminalization.
Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsab stated Tuesday that tighter controls were ordered because “many shops opened selling cannabis both for recreational and medical use, making it easily accessible to children and the public, which goes against the government’s goal to combat drugs.”
Meanwhile, a group of cannabis advocates called the regulatory changes politically motivated and announced plans to hold a rally at the Health Ministry next month to oppose the restrictions and the potential recriminalization of cannabis use and sales.
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