FILE - A pedestrian walks by the sign of a Cannabis shop after Thailand started banning the sale of cannabis to those without a prescription in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

In a major shake-up, Thailand's cannabis shops must now transform into fully-fledged clinics to continue operating. Despite existing licenses, all outlets need to reregister and must employ certified medical professionals onsite. This rule follows a new governmental decree aiming for stricter regulation to ensure cannabis is used solely for medical purposes.

 

On 22nd December 2568, Dr. Thewan Thaneerat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, announced the cabinet's approval of a draft ministerial regulation. Passed on December 9th, the regulation requires cannabis shops to upgrade their operations to comply with new medicinal standards by January–February 2569. The goal is to elevate over ten thousand licensed cannabis shops into medical facilities or clinics that meet the Ministry of Public Health's approval.

 

Existing licensed sellers must reapproach provincial health offices for approval to adjust their businesses accordingly. This rule applies to both traditional and modern pharmacies already licensed to sell medicines. If these shops aim to include cannabis sales, they must obtain an additional licence for controlled herbal products.

 

Dr. Thewan further emphasised the requirement for these establishments to employ six types of certified medical professionals, including trained traditional healers. An estimated 1,000 budtenders have completed training programmes and are eligible for certification. This overhaul ensures the operation of cannabis clinics under strict professional and legal standards, including on-site distribution by trained personnel and proper recording and reporting of transactions.

 

The Department has also introduced an electronic learning platform for training medical staff free of charge. This initiative includes verification systems to authenticate qualified practitioners and budtenders, aiming to avoid fraudulent certifications. As the policy aims to bolster medical cannabis use, the impact on existing businesses will be significant. Those holding current licences need to comply with new facility and operational standards set by the Ministry of Public Health.

 

Looking ahead, implementation timeframes remain a concern for many operators. There could be transitional measures provided to allow businesses time to adapt before full enforcement. Stakeholders are advised to stay informed while the government finalises these changes, according to Khaosod Online.

 

Key Takeaways

• Cannabis shops in Thailand must become medical clinics to operate.
• New law requires all outlets to employ certified medical staff.
• The transition must be complete by January-February 2026.

 

Related story: 

New Cannabis Curbs Rattle Thai Shop Owners

Thailand’s Medical Cannabis Rules Tighten with Launch of Prescription Form

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod Online 2025-12-22

 

 

 

So it’s a weed shop today, a clinic tomorrow, and a 7-Eleven by Songkran?

Is it now time to say «told you so?»

 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

announced the cabinet's approval of a DRAFT ministerial regulation. Passed on December 9th,

Draft... I,ll reserve opinions until it's published in the Gazette. Ho hum...

Oh no,  it's all gone to Pot. 

24 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Is it now time to say «told you so?»

 

 

say whatever you want nobody cares

18 minutes ago, mikebike said:

Draft... I,ll reserve opinions until it's published in the Gazette. Ho hum...

well the last thing posted in the gazette about this back in June was pretty much ignored, but I agree, wait and see what happens, 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

This overhaul ensures the operation of cannabis clinics under strict professional and legal standards,

which is more than can be said for many "normal" clinics

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

That's a lie, never got as much attention at this forum as when I say something about weed or weed smokers in general!

you need to get out and find some friends, may be pay for some female company, Seeking attention on here is beyond sad

Trolling AGAIN @Hummin? You don't much like it when the attention is turned on you, so don't do it to others.

This has nothing to do with your weird personal crusade, but simply to do with 'normal' regulation. Everyone, outside of the pregnant and underage, who wants/needs cannabis will be able to obtain it. So what is your point?

A backward step that is open to corruption and the monopolisation of the growing industry.

The proposed election and the current hostilities might send these stupid proposals up in smoke   " again"

3 minutes ago, FrankieGoesToHolly said:

Everyone, outside of the pregnant and underage, who wants/needs cannabis will be able to obtain it.

This I assume will require personal details rather than just walking into a shop and buying some weed.

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

A backward step that is open to corruption and the monopolisation of the growing industry.

That is clearly the intention, and their trying to claim otherwise is an insult to everybody's intelligence, Why don't they just come out with it

This is nonsense. No one becomes a 'medical professional' (of any kind) by taking a free online course. Ten thousand weed shops? The term money laundering is gaining traction.

26 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

This I assume will require personal details rather than just walking into a shop and buying some weed.

possibly , but , I am currently prescribed Tramadol and Diazepam the Dr tells me he cant prescribe more than 20 tablets of each at any one time, However my local Pharmacy , which is part of a nation wide chain, has no issues whatsoever in supplying me with more when requested.

I don't envisage any problem finding a tame "aroma therapist" who will be equally accommodating

Failing that I will return to my long standing prior arrangements and will also grow my own. Job sorted No worries

9 minutes ago, Hummin said:

That’s pretty low, stay on the matter instead of trying to score cheap points, while you sitting at your 26m2 appartment and smoking dope!

 

you see, not hard to score «sheep» points. 

I do not live in an apartment ( yet I can manage to spell the word)  and I am not smoking "dope" as you call it, It might not be hard to score "sheep" points whatever they are but you have failed  so its clearly beyond you 

So try again, or better still start your own thread and stop trolling , you might just get the attention you crave.

The only people this will affect is tourists

In the long term you need to address your loneliness issues

Take your own advice @Hummin and stick to the subject of Cannabis Shops Must Become 100% Clinics Under New Thai Law, as opposed to your personal opinions of smokers. 

If you get personal and others reflect it back to you and start discussing your very obvious deficiencies, you start crying. So, stop it.

I thought they were meant to go ... but they're still around. And you still have alot of ignorant foreigners smoking them in public acting like they discovered the Matrix. 

6 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

The only people this will affect is tourists

I'm sorry but this is not correct. Do you not think that locals also smoke pot and let's not forget expats. Do you think having to give your details to the government to buy some weed is better or worse than simply walking into a shop and buying some?

1 minute ago, DonniePeverley said:

I thought they were meant to go ... but they're still around. And you still have alot of ignorant foreigners smoking them in public acting like they discovered the Matrix. 

again in english please   Who are "They" ?  and what are  "them" that you say "they are smoking,   What is the "Matrix" you  think "they" discovered?

 

Are you on drugs?

6 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I'm sorry but this is not correct. Do you not think that locals also smoke pot and let's not forget expats. Do you think having to give your details to the government to buy some weed is better or worse than simply walking into a shop and buying some. 

None of the locals that I know will be particularly concerned about this, I think the only expats that will be affected are those that only started smoking relatively recently ie after the legalisation. 

Obviously giving any info to the authorities is never ideal and simply walking into a shop is the best option of all

9 minutes ago, FrankieGoesToHolly said:

Take your own advice @Hummin and stick to the subject of Cannabis Shops Must Become 100% Clinics Under New Thai Law, as opposed to your personal opinions of smokers. 

If you get personal and others reflect it back to you and start discussing your very obvious deficiencies, you start crying. So, stop it.

Seems some others needs to be personal, and we had this discussion before, where the only thing I have against pot smokers, is those who smokes in public like they think it legal, and do not disturbed everyone who do not smoke. Same goes for smoking cigarettes or dead drunk people at restaurants. 

 

If you want to get dead drunk or wasted on substances you go where it belongs, or where you do not need to disturb everyone else. 

 

That’s it! As said, Thailand have huge problems with tourists coming to Thailand and creates problems for others who just want to have a good holiday. If you want it to be something else, then its your problem not mine. 

 

Same goes for Bday prang who do not smoke pot, why is he annoyed? Would be in his interest that this golden possibility to buy his edibles anywhere at anytime without any trouble or needed to register, but he takes it personally instead. 

@Hummin What does any of that mad rant, have to do with Cannabis Shops Must Become 100% Clinics Under New Thai Law?

Don't you understand that you have a mental issue? You see a Cannabis thread and it triggers you to write a load of rubbish. Do you have any knowledge on the subject or have you joined the thread to try to get rid of those tensions you have built up in your life?

31 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

This is nonsense. No one becomes a 'medical professional' (of any kind) by taking a free online course. Ten thousand weed shops? The term money laundering is gaining traction.

There are easier ways to launder money without having to jump through hoops,   Nail bars and barber shops are a favorite in the UK

Just now, FrankieGoesToHolly said:

@Hummin What does any of that mad rant, have to do with Cannabis Shops Must Become 100% Clinics Under New Thai Law?

Don't you understand that you have a mental issue? You see a Cannabis thread and it triggers you to write a load of rubbish. Do you have any knowledge on the subject or have you joined the thread to try to get rid of those tensions you have built up in your life?

Obviously you do not understand, so have a pleasant Christmas and happy new year, and good luck. 

 

I have said what I wanted to say before, and no need to start all over again. 

 

There is nobody home anyway! 

There must a 'Mr Big" that owns a large percentage of these shops. Does anyone know who owns the largest number of these shops? I would find it hard to believe there are ten thousand individual shop keepers.

4 minutes ago, FrankieGoesToHolly said:

@Hummin What does any of that mad rant, have to do with Cannabis Shops Must Become 100% Clinics Under New Thai Law?

Don't you understand that you have a mental issue? You see a Cannabis thread and it triggers you to write a load of rubbish. Do you have any knowledge on the subject or have you joined the thread to try to get rid of those tensions you have built up in your life?

he needs attention he admitted in an earlier post

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

There is nobody home anyway!

The loneliness is palpable

Good that you've got that out of your system now @Hummin It's a shame that there's no one at home with you. There's that loneliness that someone mentioned earlier. 

There's always an underlying reason why someone cannot find an equal from their own culture...

Sort your own problems out firstly before you presume to criticise others.

Just now, FrankieGoesToHolly said:

Good that you've got that out of your system now @Hummin It's a shame that there's no one at home with you. There's that loneliness that someone mentioned earlier. 

There's always an underlying reason why someone cannot find an equal from their own culture...

Sort your own problems out firstly before you presume to criticise others.

Talking about mirror effect 😁

 

You guys just made my day 👐

 

Drugs do something to you ❤️