More Than 7,000 Cannabis Shops Close in Thailand as Rules Tighten, Patients Assured of Access
BANGKOK — More than 7,000 cannabis shops across Thailand have closed as tighter regulations take effect, but the government has insisted that patients who rely on cannabis for medical treatment will not be affected.
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said on Monday that the Cabinet has approved a draft ministerial regulation governing permits to study, research, export, sell or process “controlled herbs,” including cannabis, for commercial purposes. The ministry has since been briefed on progress in implementing the new rules.
Pattana said the existing 2016 ministerial regulation no longer reflected the current cannabis landscape, prompting the need for a more comprehensive control mechanism. The updated regulation is aimed at protecting consumers and reducing the impact of cannabis-related businesses on local communities, particularly in relation to commercial sale, export and processing.
Under the new framework, cannabis sellers must operate as legally designated facilities. Doctors will be responsible for prescribing cannabis, and only clearly identified, authorised personnel will be allowed to dispense it. Pattana said Thailand has sufficient qualified medical professionals to support the new licensing system.
Shops that currently hold valid licences will be allowed to continue operating until those licences expire. However, any licence renewals or new applications submitted after the regulation takes effect will have to fully comply with the new criteria.
“Cannabis-related businesses will have to adapt and carefully consider the new process,” Pattana said, adding that the ministry will ensure patients who depend on cannabis for medical treatment are not left without access. He stressed that dispensing will take place in medical facilities, with hospitals nationwide able to meet demand using licensed personnel. “Patients will certainly not face shortages,” he said.
According to official figures as of December 28, 2025, Thailand had 18,433 registered cannabis establishments. During 2025, licences for 8,636 shops expired, but only 1,339 operators—about 15.5%—applied for renewal. The remaining 7,297 shops did not seek renewal, reducing the number of operating establishments to an estimated 11,136.
Looking ahead, the ministry said 4,587 licences are due to expire in 2026 and a further 5,210 in 2027, suggesting the number of shops may continue to decline.
The new regulation effectively “upgrades” cannabis establishments by restricting eligible premises to those specifically permitted by law, including medical facilities, pharmacies, herbal product retailers and the workplaces of licensed traditional healers.
Additional requirements include effective systems to eliminate odour and smoke to prevent nuisance to nearby residents, and a rule that licensed premises must be located on property owned by the applicant or on land they are legally authorised to use.
Strict standards will also apply to storage and product quality. Licensed businesses must have appropriately sized warehouse space, store cannabis separately to prevent contamination, control temperature and humidity, avoid direct sunlight, and ensure products are not placed directly on the floor.
Staffing requirements are also being tightened. At least one trained staff member must be on duty at all times, having completed certification provided by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, to ensure professional and safety standards are met.
During the transition period, existing licences will remain valid until their expiry dates. However, all renewals—and even applications submitted before the regulation formally comes into force—will be assessed under the new, stricter standards.
