Cannabis: medical-only since June 2025 (important update)

Cannabis law in Thailand changed dramatically, and many visitors still rely on outdated 2022-2024 information. Timeline: medical cannabis was legalised in 2018; cannabis was removed from the narcotics list in June 2022, sparking a boom of over 18,000 shops; then on 25-26 June 2025 the Ministry of Public Health reclassified cannabis flower as a 'controlled herb' under the traditional medicine law, ending open recreational sales. As of September 2026: you need a valid prescription (PT33 form) from a licensed Thai practitioner - doctor, pharmacist, dentist, or traditional medicine practitioner - covering five approved conditions (insomnia, chronic pain, migraine, Parkinson's, loss of appetite), capped at a 30-day supply (about 30 g/month). Sources disagree on details: some report foreigners can obtain Thai prescriptions at licensed clinics, others say foreigners are effectively excluded - so assume access is difficult and risky. Public consumption is banned (fines of about 10,000-25,000 baht, possible jail), bringing cannabis in or out of Thailand is illegal, and foreign prescriptions are not recognised. A Cannabis and Hemp Act remained stalled in parliament in 2026, so rules may change again. The safest advice: do not assume cannabis is legal, and check official sources before travel.

Dates

Decriminalised June 2022; re-restricted 25-26 June 2025; status as of September 2026

Highlights

• Recreational cannabis illegal since 25-26 June 2025
• Medical-only with Thai prescription (PT33), 30-day supply
• Public use banned: fines 10,000-25,000 baht, possible jail
• Never bring cannabis into or out of Thailand; foreign prescriptions not valid
• Law still in flux - a full Cannabis Act was stalled in 2026

Local tips

• Do not rely on old articles saying cannabis is legal in Thailand - that ended in June 2025
• If you use medical cannabis at home, arrange legal alternatives before travelling
• Police checks on Koh Phangan party events have increased - do not carry anything

Frequently asked questions

Is cannabis legal in Thailand in 2026?

Only for medical use with a valid Thai prescription. Recreational purchase, possession, and use have been illegal since 25-26 June 2025.

Can tourists buy cannabis on Koh Samui?

Only with a prescription from a licensed Thai practitioner, and sources disagree on whether foreigners can realistically get one. Foreign prescriptions are not accepted, and public use is banned - assume no legal recreational access.

What are the penalties?

Reported penalties include fines around 10,000-25,000 baht and possible imprisonment for unlicensed purchase, possession, or public use.

What about CBD?

CBD products with under 0.2% THC remain legal from licensed sellers, but rules shift - check current regulations.