BANGKOK — Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine announced on Monday that cannabis buds may now be legally used only for five specific medical conditions and must be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. The move tightens regulations amid a nationwide crackdown on recreational use.

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Director-General Dr. Somlerk Jeungsmarn stated that cannabis buds are permitted exclusively for patients suffering from insomnia, chronic pain, migraines, Parkinson’s disease, or anorexia. Prescriptions must be issued by licensed doctors or pharmacists, and sales are restricted to authorized shops. Each prescription is valid for up to 30 days.

Thailand's cannabis laws 2025 restrict use to 5 medical conditions with a prescription.

Recreational use is illegal; tourists & expats must buy from licensed shops only.

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To enforce compliance, sellers must source cannabis from certified farms and are prohibited from online sales, vending machines, or advertising. The department has launched the Cannamed Connect platform to oversee prescriptions, distribution, patient records, and licensed outlets.

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The regulations aim to balance therapeutic access with stricter control, following public concerns over misuse since decriminalization. Violations will result in penalties for both unauthorized sellers and unlicensed users. Health officials emphasize that cannabis remains a controlled substance for medical purposes only.

-Thailand News (TN)