New Cannabis Bill Moves Closer to Cabinet Review

New Cannabis Bill Moves Closer to Cabinet Review

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is pushing to submit a new cannabis and hemp bill to the Cabinet before July. Officials said the proposed law is designed to tighten controls on cultivation, sales, and use while keeping recreational cannabis strictly prohibited. Cannabis users would need medical prescriptions, and new shops would only be allowed to operate under approved medical, pharmacy, herbal, or pharmaceutical licences. Authorities said the number of cannabis outlets has already dropped sharply after tougher rules were introduced, with more closures expected this year. The draft bill could introduce penalties of up to one year in prison and fines of up to 20,000 baht for recreational use.