Cannabis in Thailand (2025): Laws, Medical Use & Phuket Guide

Quick Summary: Thailand’s 2025 “Medical-Only” Rules

Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in June 2022, removing the plant from the narcotics list. However, by mid-2025 the government reversed course and introduced a stricter regulatory regime: cannabis flowers re-classified as controlled herbs, sales limited to patients with a doctor’s prescription, and recreational purchases banned. nationthailand This major policy shift has immense implications for dispensaries, tourists and the domestic weed industry. Reuters

Timeline: From Medical Access to Decriminalisation to Tightening Regulations

• 2018–2019: Thailand legalised medical cannabis for the first time, allowing health-care-approved use. Wikipedia

• June 2022: Full decriminalisation: cannabis removed from narcotics list, hemp & extracts under 0.2% THC allowed, and recreational use briefly tolerated. Wikipedia

• 2024–2025: Government signals a swing back to medical-only use. On 25 June 2025 a ministerial order required prescriptions for purchases and banned many recreational sales. Thai Examiner

• Mid-2025 onward: Further restrictions under discussion: listing cannabis again as narcotic, stricter shop licences, bans on public smoking and advertising. thediplomat.com

  
  

What’s Legal vs. What’s Forbidden (As of Late 2025)

• Legal: Cannabis for medical purposes only, when prescribed by a licensed doctor, dentist or traditional medicine practitioner. bangkokpost.com

• Forbidden: Recreational sales without prescription, smoking in public places, advertisement of cannabis products, electronic vending. bangkokpost.com

• For businesses: Dispensaries must comply with Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP), trace product origin, and report monthly. juslaws.com

• For tourism and locals: Age limit 20+, purchase only from licensed shops, keep receipts and labelled packaging. Wikipedia

The Cannabis & Hemp Bill: What It Means for Business

Thailand’s draft “Cannabis & Hemp Bill” aims to formalise licences for cultivation, processing, sales and exports. lexology.com Flowers are classified as controlled herbs; shops may require a doctor onsite; maximum 30-day supply for personal use. thediplomat.com Businesses that fail to comply risk closure, fines or loss of licence. juslaws.com

Focus on Phuket: What Dispensaries & Visitors Should Know

In Phuket (Rawai, Nai Harn) the local cannabis retail scene must adapt. A Phuket cannabis shop now emphasises compliance: licensed products, lab-tested quality, no advertising of “party weed”, only pickup or in-store collection.Tourists and locals must ensure purchases from registered stores; public consumption often leads to fines. bangkokpost.com

Quality & Lab-Testing: A New Standard

Lab-tested cannabis is now more than a marketing tool — it’s a regulatory requirement. Dispensaries must provide Certificates of Analysis (COAs) showing THC, terpene profiles and purity. This ensures consistent experiences, safe products and builds trust. spacetreesthailand.com

Risks & Penalties: Key Things to Avoid

Operating without proper licence, selling without prescription, allowing smoking in-shop or advertising recreational use can lead to sanctions. Consumers should also avoid unlicensed sellers. Thailand is re-crim­inalising non-medical cannabis use. AP News

Compliance Checklist for Dispensaries (2025)

• ✅ Maintain store licence and display it visibly

• ✅ Stock lab-tested products only, keep traceability records (Phor.Tor.27) juslaws.com

• ✅ Ensure staff/consultants are trained: medical-only positioning, no recreational claims

• ✅ Update website: “pickup only”, no delivery claims unless allowed locally

• ✅ Use SEO strategy: “cannabis Rawai”, “weed Phuket”, “Phuket cannabis shop” — but no “weed delivery Phuket” if it’s illegal.

  
  

Key Dates & Sources You Should Know

• June 2022: Decriminalisation of cannabis flowers in Thailand. Wikipedia

• 25 June 2025: Health Ministry order requiring doctor’s prescription for all cannabis some shops. bangkokpost.com

• Current status: Market transitions from boom of 18,000+ shops to a regulated, medical-driven framework. bangkokpost.com

  
  

Visit LaLaLand Phuket – Your Certified Medical Cannabis Space

At LaLaLand Phuket, we operate fully in line with Thai medical cannabis laws. All our products are lab-tested, doctor-approved, and sold under official licenses issued in Thailand.

You can review our licenses and certifications, explore our current menu, and learn more about the medical benefits of our carefully curated strains directly on our website.

Whether you're a local or visiting Phuket, our space is open 24/7 in Rawai — created for those who value quality, transparency, and chill lifestyle.