FILE- A staff member prepares a flower bud of cannabis for a customer at a cannabis shop in Bangkok, Thailand, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Thailand has announced a review of current cannabis laws following pressure from industry advocates. The group "Writing Thailand's Cannabis Future" has argued that stringent regulations are crippling the sector and called for swift reforms to rejuvenate the market.

 

Led by Prasitchai Nunuan and Chokwan Chopaka, the advocacy group met with Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr Sakda Alapach at the Ministry of Public Health to discuss concerns. The group has also reached out to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat, highlighting the need to reverse regulatory measures introduced by former minister Somsak Thepsutin, which they claim have undermined the industry.

 

The advocates are seeking to revoke the 2025 regulation classifying cannabis as a controlled herb, urging a return to the 2022 rules that allowed sales without medical prescriptions. They proposed amendments to cultivation rules, criticising mandatory lab testing for growers with Good Agricultural Practice certification as burdensome.

 

Additionally, the group opposes a draft regulation restricting cannabis sales to medical clinics, citing fears of reducing the current 10,000 licensed shops to just 100. They have pushed for expedited parliamentary review of the long-delayed Cannabis Bill, insisting it's ready for consideration.

 

Prasitchai Nunuan insists the current regulations be overturned within two weeks, threatening to escalate the matter to the prime minister if no action is taken. He assured that the group supports measures against misuse but emphasises the importance of fair opportunities for all businesses.

 

Dr Sakda Alapach confirmed the ministry has noted the concerns and will task the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine with conducting a review. The findings are expected to be presented to the minister after the review process.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Ministry of Public Health to reassess cannabis laws after industry pressure.
• Advocates demand reversal of recent restrictive measures, threatening escalation.
• A review will be conducted by Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department.

Related Stories:

Anutin’s Return Sparks Hope for Thai Cannabis Industry

Cannabis Advocates Call for Fair, Unified Law in Thailand

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-10-09

 

 

With the  pro cannabis prime minister in charge that didnt take long

Today the flip again,will some one try to get another flop going?

How can you plan or run a business with a government like that?

Unbelievable!

 

 

When you u-turn on a u-turn is it an n-turn?

I am under the impression ever since former health minister Somsak was sent packing....His new policies that were introduced overnight are pretty much being ignored by most sellers...

 

I havent heard of any weed shop crackdowns since Old Somsak was told to hit the road....

19 hours ago, Crossy said:

When you u-turn on a u-turn is it an n-turn?

 

  No it's a w-turn.  

It was changed to support monopolising the sector. Hopefully this will be reversed and at the same time reverse the draconian vape policy.

Just ban it.

Stinks the place out and attracts miscreants.

A U-turn on the U-turn?

23 hours ago, webfact said:

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Thailand has announced a review of current cannabis laws following pressure from industry advocates. The group "Writing Thailand's Cannabis Future" has argued that stringent regulations are crippling the sector and called for swift reforms to rejuvenate the market.

Crippling it my back-side, stringent regulations are in place to stop un-prescripted use...

this free for all on every street corner was never how it was supposed to be.

Originally "medicated use only" was the term use

 

As well they should reconsider the revocation of these laws, billions were invested by young entrepreneurs with the presumption that the government would honor their commitment, and maintain some level of sane consistency with regard to Industry. Changing the law amounts to a massive betrayal on the part of the Thai government toward a predominantly youthful  investment and entrepreneural community.

 

It's a horrific outcome and must be reversed. 

 

 

20 minutes ago, Kenny Boy said:

Just ban it.

Stinks the place out and attracts miscreants.

Why?

Most Cannabis users are never a problem as opposed of Alcohol users.

 

2 minutes ago, jvs said:

Why?

Most Cannabis users are never a problem as opposed of Alcohol users.

 

 

Exactly, well said Sir.

Live & let live (AKA puff, puff, pass).

 

 

29 minutes ago, Kenny Boy said:

Just ban it.

Stinks the place out and attracts miscreants.

In which case smoking cigarettes and consumption of alcohol should also be banned.

555, what a joke this government is...bowing to business...this government has no balls, how can it be good for Thailand, can't make decisions...most Thais have expressed they want cannabis controlled, this government, as usual, ignored what the people want. Cowards...useless

What BS. You put all these people out of business and then you change your mind??

 

I predicted this.

 

They make the US Congress look good.

7 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

In which case smoking cigarettes and consumption of alcohol should also be banned.

Ah, a typical reply from users

Just now, Nickcage49 said:

What BS. You put all these people out of business and then you change your mind??

 

I predicted this.

 

They make the US Congress look good.

I have no sympathy, it was decriminalised for medicinal purposes only, not a free for all.

I can’t say that i see any change from the previous u turn in Phuket. More cannabis shops than 7-11 operating as they always have done. So whether this flip to the previous flop happens or not, it would seem to be irrelevant.

JFC! Here we go again the one thing that gave Thailand the jump start at needed to restart the economy after covid and someone is acting out about it again

18 minutes ago, jvs said:

Why?

Most Cannabis users are never a problem as opposed of Alcohol users.

 

Because it stinks and so non users are impacted whether they like it or not?

4 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Ah, a typical reply from users

Never in the history of mankind has so much money been spent on one plant trying to find something wrong with it... nothing has been found

2 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Because it stinks and so non users are impacted whether they like it or not?

Like alcohol fuelled domestic violence? Drunk driving causing death?

Yeah, non drinkers aren't impacted by alcohol.

9 minutes ago, wombat said:

Never in the history of mankind has so much money been spent on one plant trying to find something wrong with it... nothing has been found

Perhaps you failed basic Google search

6 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Because it stinks and so non users are impacted whether they like it or not?

Cigarettes stink. Black smoke-belching vehicles stink, Middle Eastern men wearing cologne so strong that you can barely breath when they're nearby stinks.  There are others.  I have NEVER been in an area with strong weed smell in Phuket.  Weed doesn't need to be banned because of your sensitivity, it needs to be regulated so that the general public (those who don't like the lovely smell) don't have to smell it. 

10 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

555, what a joke this government is...bowing to business...this government has no balls, how can it be good for Thailand, can't make decisions...most Thais have expressed they want cannabis controlled, this government, as usual, ignored what the people want. Cowards...useless

Unless you are a Thai Citizen. It has got nothing to do with you what the government does.

You are only a guest in Thailand.

Quite a few of you should stop and remember that.

If I went to your country and started running down what your countries govt. policies are.

You would tell me to stuff off.

Perhaps it should apply to some of you.

Round and round and round it goes, whgere it ends up nobody knows loll

4 minutes ago, Deerculler said:

Unless you are a Thai Citizen. It has got nothing to do with you what the government does.

You are only a guest in Thailand.

Quite a few of you should stop and remember that.

If I went to your country and started running down what your countries govt. policies are.

You would tell me to stuff off.

Perhaps it should apply to some of you.

It's got plenty to do with non Thais as they are also impacted by Thai laws.

21 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

555, what a joke this government is...bowing to business...this government has no balls, how can it be good for Thailand, can't make decisions...most Thais have expressed they want cannabis controlled, this government, as usual, ignored what the people want. Cowards...useless

I think you're confused. It was the former Thaksin controlled government that bowed to or more likely in collusion with "business" moved to a policy of monopolisation. As for most Thais wanting cannabis controlled so do most Thai dope smokers. Don't be selling to kiddies and the same goes for cigs, vapes and alcohol. 

23 hours ago, Crossy said:

When you u-turn on a u-turn is it an n-turn?

No, its an S-bend.