Business As Usual?

[short-Timer]

There’s a small cannabis shop in my quiet soi that doesn’t seem to get much foot traffic, but it’s always open in the evenings, usually until around midnight. Last night, for the first time since it opened up about eight or ten months ago, it was closed. At first I assumed they were just taking a night off, but then I remembered the new laws went into effect yesterday, which might explain it.

 

I’m curious how shops in the main tourist areas are responding to the changes. Have any of the big and expensive cannabis stores around Sukhumvit, like in Nana, Asoke, Soi 11, etc, shut down, or are they still operating as usual?
 

I assume at some point they’ll all set up systems to provide medical slips for tourists, but that takes time to implement. In the meantime, are they still selling like normal I wonder? And has the usual smell of cannabis in the air around those streets changed at all?

 

If anyone’s been through those areas in the last 24-48 hours and noticed anything different, I’d be interested to hear.

[KannikaP]

Is it still now only allowed if below 0.02 or is it 0.2% THC or CBD. No-one seems to know.

[RSD1]

I think from here on out we’re going to see business continue as usual, but with an even greater shift toward online sales as the industry moves back underground. High-rent retail shops catering to tourists will likely start closing, but online sales will carry on, probably without requiring any medical certificates. Many sellers already use services like Flash or the Thai postal service for delivery, though I suspect we’ll see a move toward private courier companies instead, as a way to minimize any legal exposure from online sales.

 

The shop I buy from can deliver anywhere in Bangkok within a couple of hours using Grab or LaLaMove. I don’t think local delivery through motorcycle messengers like this will ever become an issue, since the packages are picked up and dropped off quickly within about an hour and without ever passing through a facility where inspections can take place.

 

Of course, there will eventually be some effort by the government to enforce the new laws and carry out inspections, but that will likely focus on retail shops. Even then, enforcement is going to be a major challenge. How many shops can they realistically visit to inspect to see if they are really checking customers for medical certificates? There are over 10,000 retail shops and only 365 days in a year.

[RSD1]

I went out and did a quick and dirty late-night recce around Sukhumvit, and it’s definitely low-season, but the weed scene is still rolling like nothing changed with the law yet. Every shop I passed around Soi 4, Soi 11, you name it, was wide open for business. The scent of weed out on the street also wafted by here and there. Plenty of street stalls were hawking their weed-wares right on the main drag near Soi 7. Maybe one rented shop close to Soi 5 looked like it had shuttered, but I believe that happened before the law changed a day ago. Hard to say if this is the calm before the storm that will shut down thousands of weed shops or if it will roll on like it is now with business as usual.

[Jeff the Chef]

I have a mate in Pattaya who has a shop with his wife, was talking to her yesterday and they have been closed for 3 days along with loads of others, worried about police checks, she says no one knows what the score is.

[quake]

3 hours ago, Jeff the Chef said:

I have a mate in Pattaya who has a shop with his wife, was talking to her yesterday and they have been closed for 3 days along with loads of others, worried about police checks, she says no one knows what the score is.

 

Plenty were still open last night in Jomtien.

You can't walk more than a 100 yards with out smelling pot on beach road Jomtien at night.

I like the smell. 

 

[bamnutsak]

I think a lot of shops have closed, if only for a few days while owners grapple with new regulations. An opinion based on social media posts.

 

Sale of cannabis is said to be illegal without prescription.

 

Police are shutting down some stores they "inspect" for failures to adhere to old/existing regulations (record keeping, tax, etc.).

 

I think it will take a while to get the "Medical Cannabis" procedures in place. They seem to have cobbled together a prescription form which lists ailments treatable with medical cannabis. Not sure if "Other" is listed? Asthma is, but that seems medically criminal to allow someone with asthma to smoke cannabis.

 

 

 The situation could change again, this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Real Name Hidden]

I stopped in Nana Plaza last night, the dispensary at the entrance to the plaza was temporarily closed, as was the cannabis smoking area.  Waitress said it will be closed for 3 days until they can figure out what's happening.  

[SMIAI]

It's shocking to read, three years later, that adults are still spouting nonsense with regard to 0.2%. Actual adults still not getting it after three years.

 

0.2% refers to EXTRACTS, not plants/flowers. The plants/flowers have no such restriction. How is it possible.....?

[RocketDog]

5 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

I think a lot of shops have closed, if only for a few days while owners grapple with new regulations. An opinion based on social media posts.

 

Sale of cannabis is said to be illegal without prescription.

 

Police are shutting down some stores they "inspect" for failures to adhere to old/existing regulations (record keeping, tax, etc.).

 

I think it will take a while to get the "Medical Cannabis" procedures in place. They seem to have cobbled together a prescription form which lists ailments treatable with medical cannabis. Not sure if "Other" is listed? Asthma is, but that seems medically criminal to allow someone with asthma to smoke cannabis.

 

 

 The situation could change again, this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Google picture translate for what its worth.2:19

 

LTE

 

57%

 

12

 

le can read this and give a

 

Practitioners of Chinese medicine under the law on the practice of medicine and practitioners of dentistry under the law on the practice of dentistry who use it to treat their patients

 

(6) It is prohibited to sell controlled herbs or products processed from controlled herbs for trade through vending machines, electronic channels or computer networks.

 

(2) It is prohibited to advertise controlled herbs in all channels for trade.

 

(4) It is prohibited to sell controlled herbs or products processed from controlled herbs for trade in the following places:

 

(a) Temples or places for religious ceremonies

 

(b) Dormitories under the law on dormitories

 

(c) Public parks, zoos and amusement parks

 

The sale of controlled herbs for trade according to paragraph one (3) does not include the sale of controlled herbs to any person who has a prescription from a practitioner of medicine under the law on medicine, practitioners of Thai traditional medicine, practitioners of applied Thai traditional medicine and folk doctors under the law on Thai traditional medicine, practitioners of Chinese medicine under the law on the practice of medicine Pharmacists under the Pharmacy Profession Act and dentists under the Dental Profession Act for medical benefits

 

The dispensing order under paragraph two shall specify the amount or quantity of use as necessary for specific treatment, which shall not exceed thirty days.

 

Section 5 The licensee under Section 46) prior to the effective date of this announcement, specifically for the part that is controlled herbs under this announcement, shall comply with the conditions specified in Section 3 of this announcement.

 

Section 4 The reporting form, the form for reporting details of the export of controlled herbs per time, and the dispensing order form shall be in accordance with the form announced by the Director-General.

 

Announced on 23 June 2021

 

(Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin) Minister of Public Health

[digger70]

20 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Is it still now only allowed if below 0.02 or is it 0.2% THC or CBD. No-one seems to know.

Yea, like anyone cares. 😇

[BritManToo]

Provincial Health Authority just announced (notification passed to me at 14:54).

1. Trading to continue as normal for the next 2 months.

2. No smoking in the shops.

3. No medical cert required (until we've sorted the forms out)

4. No advertising cannabis at all.

 

So essentially a big nothing burger, and the can kicked down the road.

Shops will be open again this evening.

[RSD1]

I just learned that the shop I usually buy from was closed yesterday, but then they sent a text this morning saying they’ll be open for business today as usual. However, in their message, they stated that customers won’t be allowed to smoke in the shop like before. Normally, you can sample any of their strains right there in the store before buying, but that’s off the table now, I guess.

 

They also included a screenshot of a LINE chat that a vendor had with their local district public health office. As far as I know, the new regulations have already been published in the Royal Gazette, so it seems the information in the chat might already be outdated.
 

Here’s an English translation of the short chat exchange they shared with me (note that there’s no date or time shown on the chat, so it’s unclear exactly when it took place). Chat translation:

Provincial Public Health Office: Hi

 

Vendor: Hello, I would like to ask about the measures for cannabis shops. Are they still allowed to open for business as usual?

 

PPHO: The shop can still open because we have to wait for the announcement in the Royal Gazette first.

 

Vendor: Thank you

 

PPHO: If there is any further announcement, the vendor will be notified.

 

Vendor: The buyer does not need a prescription from a doctor, is that correct?

 

PPHO: Now you can still do it as before.

 

Vendor: Thank you

 

[RSD1]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3058697/thai-cannabis-industry-thrown-into-chaos-as-government-aims-to-recriminalise-weed

 

Thai cannabis industry thrown into chaos

 

New rules are political revenge and public will pay, says vendor in Khaosan

 

PUBLISHED : 26 Jun 2025 at 17:26

WRITER: Bloomberg News

 

Three years after becoming the first Asian nation to decriminalise cannabis, Thailand is poised to reverse course amid political turmoil and now requires a prescription to buy cannabis at any of the 10,000-18,000 dispensaries that have sprung up since 2022. 

 

The new rules have thrown the fledgling industry into chaos and sparked criticism from pro-cannabis activists, who championed liberalisation as a way to boost Thailand’s wellness and tourism sectors. Dispensaries must now sell only cannabis produced by farms that have obtained the “Good Agricultural and Collection Practices” certifications issued by the government, and amounts are capped at a 30-day supply per customer. 

 

The latest regulations, which went into effect Thursday, followed a pledge by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ruling Pheu Thai Party to toughen the country’s drug policy and limit the use of cannabis for only medical purposes. That promise came just days after the second-largest bloc in the government coalition, the pro-weed Bhumjaithai Party, left to join the opposition after a dispute over a cabinet seat. 

 

Compliance costs will put further strain on dispensaries, which have already been struggling with high competition and fewer-than-expected foreign tourists the past year, said Rattapon Sanrak, owner of Highland Cafe, a dispensary in Bangkok’s backpacker-heavy Khaosan district.

 

“These moves are political revenge, but it’s the public who’ll pay,” Mr Rattapon said. “The majority of farms in the country are not yet certified by the government. And the products that don’t comply with the regulations that are in the pipeline will have nowhere to go but underground.”

 

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said earlier this week that the government plans to put cannabis back on the country’s list of illegal narcotics — it is currently classified as a “controlled herb.” And over the next several weeks, new rules will be drafted to require every dispensary to have a doctor on site as part of licensing criteria, he said. 

 

Many businesses said they were blindsided by the abrupt rollout of the new rules, which were published on Wednesday night with no grace period. Numerous enterprises shut their doors on Thursday while they decided next steps. Some entrepreneurs said they are mulling a class-action lawsuit to at least delay the new requirements. 

 

An advocacy group named Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future urged people to protest at the Public Health Ministry on July 7. The group said the new regulations will not halt the recreational use of weed, but lead to the sales of fake medical prescriptions. 

 

“A medical certificate can absolutely be bought,” said Prasitchai Nunual, the group’s secretary-general. “Permission slips given by so-called established experts will lead to corruption and prescriptions that don’t reflect any medical reality.” 

 

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) estimated the domestic cannabis industry at 28 billion baht (US$865 million) in 2022 after decriminalisation went into effect, adding that it had potential to reach 43 billion baht in 2025.

[RSD1]

More information from a shop that I am familiar with (Thai translation of their message into English): "I was just informed that the government is now giving 2 months until August 31st for people to prepare for the changes. Customers must bring their herbal prescription card going forward to buy at the store. Right now, just your ID card is enough to purchase cannabis, if it is not yet convenient for you to go and get your herbal prescription card."

 

There is information below that they also shared from a clinic that is offering the Medical Marijuana Use card. Apparently the cost is 500 Baht for the card, plus a 200 Baht fee for the prescription. Total is 700 Baht. The card is valid for one year, but the 200 Baht prescription is only valid for one month and needs to be renewed once it expires after 30 days. But if you don't plan to buy cannabis every month then you only need to renew the prescription whenever you plan to buy more cannabis. The clinic below will also issue the prescription renewals online I believe so that a visit to the clinic is not required to renew the monthly prescription. Apparently they will also issue a card and prescription to anyone that states that they have sleeping disorders.

 

 📌 ขึ้นทะเบียนผู้ป่วยกัญชาทางการแพทย์
💻ออนไลน์ Telemedicine Consultant 
☑️ขึ้นทะเบียนออกใบรับรองแพทย์ 3 เดือน “ฟรี” ถึงวันที่ 4 ก.ค. 2568 เฉพาะเข้ามาทำที่คลินิกเท่านั้น

1. บัตรสมาร์ทการ์ดผู้ป่วยกัญชาทางการแพทย์ 1 ปี พกพาสะดวก จะลิ้งค์ข้อมูลของคลนิกและตรวจสอบประวัติการป่วยการใช้กัญชาผ่านเจ้าหน้าที่ หรือใช้แทนใบรับรองแพทย์แบบกระดาษ (กรณีไม่จำเป็นต้องใช้แบบกระดาษ)
2. ใบรับรองผู้ป่วยกัญชาทางการแพทย์ เพื่อยืนยันการเป็นผู้ป่วยใช้เพื่อรักษา (กรณีจำเป็นใช้แบบกระดาษเพื่อยืนยันบริษัทหรือสถานที่ทำงานที่ร้องขอเอกสาร)
3. ใบสั่งจ่ายสมุนไพรควบคุม (กัญชา) จากแพทย์ เพื่อซื้อช่อดอก 30 กรัม/เดือน จากร้านจำหน่าย หรือสถานพยาบาลที่ได้รับอนุญาตเท่านั้น

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👩🏻‍💼ติดต่อสอบถามได้ที่
พิสิษฐ์สหคลินิกไทยจีน(ปทุมธานี)
เปิดบริการ 9:00-17:00 น.(ปิดทุกวันอังคาร)
Tel : 0619185592, 0966819481
Line ID : @phisitclinic

 

 

[SMIAI]

It ain't over until the fat lady sings...

 

Hun Sen may have something to say about it...

[Yagoda]

24 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

More information from a shop that I am familiar with (Thai translation of their message into English): "I was just informed that the government is now giving 2 months until August 31st for people to prepare for the changes. Customers must bring their herbal prescription card going forward to buy at the store. Right now, just your ID card is enough to purchase cannabis, if it is not yet convenient for you to go and get your herbal prescription card."

 

There is information below that they also shared from a clinic that is offering the Medical Marijuana Use card. Apparently the cost is 500 Baht for the card, plus a 200 Baht fee for the prescription. Total is 700 Baht. The card is valid for one year, but the 200 Baht prescription is only valid for one month and needs to be renewed once it expires after 30 days. But if you don't plan to buy cannabis every month then you only need to renew the prescription whenever you plan to buy more cannabis. The clinic below will also issue the prescription renewals online I believe so that a visit to the clinic is not required to renew the monthly prescription. Apparently they will also issue a card and prescription to anyone that states that they have sleeping disorders.

 

 📌 ขึ้นทะเบียนผู้ป่วยกัญชาทางการแพทย์
💻ออนไลน์ Telemedicine Consultant 
☑️ขึ้นทะเบียนออกใบรับรองแพทย์ 3 เดือน “ฟรี” ถึงวันที่ 4 ก.ค. 2568 เฉพาะเข้ามาทำที่คลินิกเท่านั้น

1. บัตรสมาร์ทการ์ดผู้ป่วยกัญชาทางการแพทย์ 1 ปี พกพาสะดวก จะลิ้งค์ข้อมูลของคลนิกและตรวจสอบประวัติการป่วยการใช้กัญชาผ่านเจ้าหน้าที่ หรือใช้แทนใบรับรองแพทย์แบบกระดาษ (กรณีไม่จำเป็นต้องใช้แบบกระดาษ)
2. ใบรับรองผู้ป่วยกัญชาทางการแพทย์ เพื่อยืนยันการเป็นผู้ป่วยใช้เพื่อรักษา (กรณีจำเป็นใช้แบบกระดาษเพื่อยืนยันบริษัทหรือสถานที่ทำงานที่ร้องขอเอกสาร)
3. ใบสั่งจ่ายสมุนไพรควบคุม (กัญชา) จากแพทย์ เพื่อซื้อช่อดอก 30 กรัม/เดือน จากร้านจำหน่าย หรือสถานพยาบาลที่ได้รับอนุญาตเท่านั้น

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

✔️ทำออนไลน์กรอกข้อมูลทำประวัติที่นี่ : https://forms.gle/xJXArVGiXAUfY3T59
✔️ตรวจสอบการอัพเดทรายชื่อที่นี่ : https://docs.google.com/document/d/13Ivs1Vt1vHHO0cvcoX_y8RClP1o3dvmF/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=116125976538520321934&rtpof=true&sd=true
✔️ติดต่อเจ้าหน้าที่หรือสอบถามที่นี่ : https://lin.ee/q3d429a
✔️แผนที่คลินิก : Maps ; https://maps.app.goo.gl/1MMwMwnFXzvtobaS7?g_st=ic

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
🚫 คำเตือน : ระวังมิจฉาชีพ 🚫
👉🏻ให้กรอกจากลิงค์ที่แอดมินส่งให้เท่านั้น ห้ามกรอกจากลิงค์บุคคลภายนอกเด็ดขาด หากกรอกจากลิงค์บุคคลอื่นทางพิสิษฐ์สหคลินิกไทย-จีน จะไม่รับผิดชอบทุกกรณี

👩🏻‍💼ติดต่อสอบถามได้ที่
พิสิษฐ์สหคลินิกไทยจีน(ปทุมธานี)
เปิดบริการ 9:00-17:00 น.(ปิดทุกวันอังคาร)
Tel : 0619185592, 0966819481
Line ID : @phisitclinic

 

 

So basicly its costing you an extra 200 baht

[RSD1]

20 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

So basicly its costing you an extra 200 baht

 

Yes, more or less. You need to get a medical use card first for 500 Baht and then pay 200 Baht more for the prescription. The photos I posted above shows samples of both items.

 

As stated, sleep disorder is all that is required to get the card and prescription. Then renew the prescription for a 30 day period whenever you want to buy more cannabis. Otherwise, no need to renew the prescription if no plans to buy more. And just keep a valid card at all times and renew the card once a year for 500 Baht to avoid any problems.

[Yagoda]

6 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

 

Yes, more or less. You need to get a medical use card first for 500 Baht and then pay 200 Baht more for the prescription. The photos I posted above shows samples of both items.

 

As stated, sleep disorder is all that is required to get the card and prescription. Then renew the prescription for a 30 day period whenever you want to buy more cannabis. Otherwise, no need to renew the prescription if no plans to buy more. And just keep a valid card at all times and renew the card once a year for 500 Baht to avoid any problems.

Meanwhile they drive the on line no storefront places out or business

[RSD1]

14 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Meanwhile they drive the on line no storefront places out or business

Or it could go the other way. People could stop buying from stores and just buy online because they don't want the hassle of all the paperwork required to buy from a legitimate shop in the future. I assume the online vendors will still operate rogue, the same way they do now. 
 

Anyway, no need to do anything for at least 60 days. You can still buy whatever you want from any store at the moment without any restrictions. No point to even get a card at this point. 60 days from now, the whole thing could still be waffling around or even scrapped, with no requirements for a card or prescription ever needed.
 

So it's best to just watch and wait to see what happens. The information from the shop that I posted above only requires an ID card at the moment to purchase from them going forward. But I assume many of those shops around Sukhumvit probably aren't requiring anything yet at all, especially street stalls.

[Jeff the Chef]

To be fair, after seeing Georges post of the month, lol, I think the powers that be realize they have screwed up big style and I wouldn't be surprised if this quietly dies a death, TIT.

 

Our lass who only has an 8th of one of my brownies to sleep even said WTF, a lot of Thai people have invested a lot of money in this, and we are out in the back of beyond, near Phichit.

[short-Timer]

So it's basically a big nothing burger. Worst case scenario, 60 days from now, you gotta get a card and a prescription. That's it. Costs you a bit of time and money to keep the wheels of bureaucracy turning. The government makes a bit out of it and feels like they're in charge of it all. Big dog and pony show for nothing. So don't worry, be happy.