Thailand’s House Public Health Committee is reviewing the country’s cannabis policy amid growing concerns over widespread sales, legal loopholes and public health risks. The committee is considering whether cannabis should be returned to the narcotics list, a move that could have significant implications for farmers, businesses and consumers.

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The review follows concerns that uncontrolled sales and unregistered cultivation have expanded since cannabis was liberalised in June 2022. A meeting chaired by Sakoltee Phattiyakul on 18 June brought together representatives from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), medical networks, academics and civic groups campaigning against drug-related harms.

The debate highlighted sharp divisions over cannabis regulation. Medical and anti-drug groups support temporarily returning cannabis to narcotics control while a dedicated cannabis law is developed. Cannabis operators and civic networks oppose the proposal, arguing it could harm farmers and businesses attempting to operate legally.

Dr Tewan Thaneerat, deputy director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, said concerns had continued since legalisation. He noted that the Public Health Ministry introduced three regulations in June 2025 covering research, sales, processing and exports in line with international standards.

Officials are now working on a new cannabis and hemp bill alongside the FDA, the Department of Health Service Support and the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Public Health. The draft was previously submitted to the Cabinet but was not considered before Parliament was dissolved. Public hearings are expected to conclude by late July before the bill is resubmitted.

Ekkapop Sittiwantana, deputy chairman of the committee from the People’s Party, said cannabis should be returned to the narcotics list until the new law is enacted. He warned that widespread unregistered cultivation and informal sales had created loopholes that could be exploited by grey businesses and called for proper registration of cannabis plants.

Assoc Prof Dr Smith Srisont, representing doctors, academics and civic groups opposed to drug-related harms, also supported tighter controls. He argued that despite extracts containing more than 0.2% THC remaining classified as narcotics, cannabis availability had already created practical concerns and that narcotics control should be restored before a separate regulatory law is introduced.

The FDA told the committee that most inspected cannabis products met labelling and testing standards. However, it said many sales channels remain outside the legal system, creating enforcement challenges.

Cannabis operators and the Thai Cannabis Future Network argued that legal businesses face unfair competition from the black market, illegal imports and ongoing legal uncertainty. The network also raised concerns about alleged pressure linked to cannabis licensing and the cost of obtaining medical prescriptions.

The Nation reported that Sakoltee concluded the meeting by directing officials to compile a list of all licensed cannabis shops in Bangkok and FDA-certified cannabis products for review. The committee will also examine cannabis-related harm and consider both public-sector proposals and the Public Health Ministry’s draft bill as lawmakers seek a balanced regulatory framework.

Picture courtesy of The Nation

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 21 June 2026

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We giveth & we taketh away - more flip flops than a beach in Australia 555

11 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

We giveth & we taketh away - more flip flops than a beach in Australia 555

The one thing that the government did not giveth and, therefore, cannot taketh away, is that recreational cannabis has always been illegal so, so far, nothing has been taken away.

A little late boys...

.It's over, the dope smokers won, and you lost. End of story....

Whether you are pro or con cannabis… follow the money…

I find it fascinating that alcohol kills in vehicle accidents/destroys families/injures health/causes fights of multiple thousands of Thais and tourists a year here in Thailand…yet alcohol sale hours were increased at the bidding of Thai Restaurants, hotels and bars…not a peep from Thai society!

How many lives of adults and children have been affected by alcohol??? Then ask yourself what are he benefits of alcohol… other than these businesses making millions/billions off of others suffering….

Now find how many Thais/tourists were killed/injured from cannabis alone (no other factors alcohol/ ice/meth)…

sure there are hospitalizations for the over zealous Thai/Tourists that has no common sense and who had never indulged with cannabis before…but no deaths…(compare the Thai/Tourists that overindulge in alcohol for whatever reason….(with multiple deaths)…

Yet people have been using cannabis for years here in Thailand… ( pain relief, insomnia, cooking, depression, cancer medication relief, appetite disorders) and just plain relaxation…not one death has been medically proven….

Logic indicates that’s most of the push back from legalization of cannabis is from businesses that benefit from the death and suffering of Big Alcohol and the money it makes off of all those that participate…. Quit lying to yourselves…