#Druglaws

A major policy reversal puts Thailand back on a tightly regulated path for cannabis. As of late June, buying cannabis nationwide requires a doctor’s prescription. The aim is to limit use to medical and health contexts, winding back the era of dispensaries and weed cafés that drew tourists from Bangkok to Pattaya.

The shift unsettles a sector that blossomed after decriminalization in 2022. Thailand had become a regional cannabis destination, boosting local tourism and small businesses. Health authorities now argue that liberalization outpaced regulation, pointing to concerns such as rising addiction, underage use, street smoking, and cross-border smuggling.