Thailand's Crossroad: Will New Leadership Spark Cannabis Legalization?

Image | adobe.stock/ARTPROXIMO

The cannabis industry in Thailand is constantly shifting. In June 2025, the Thailand government declared that they were changing their policy on cannabis and that this would result in access only being approved for medical use (1). Additionally, cannabis consumption that was not permitted would be established as a criminal activity, at a later point in time. The Nation explained that the government’s reclassification mentioned “reclassified cannabis flowers as controlled herbs, imposed tight licensing requirements, and banned sales in public spaces,” (2). The new rules would only allow for cannabis to be sold by authorizes practitioners, which included folk healers, and certain information would need to be included, such as the necessary amount. Medical cannabis would have a maximum duration of use of 30 days (1). The new regulations were outlined by The Nation which explained that “only cannabis flowers are classified as controlled herbs; special licenses will be needed for research, sales, exports, or processing of the flowers, along with regular reports and documentation on their sources and intended uses; and sales may only take place between licensees and must originate from sources that are Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) certified. Additionally, cannabis advertising and commercials sales are banned, as well as sales near locations including temples and public parks,” (1,2).

On September 5, 2025, Thailand received a new prime minister (3). Thailand’s parliament voted and appointed Anutin Charnvirakul, a conservative who has advocated on the campaign trail to decriminalize cannabis. The previous Prime Minister was Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed from political office via a court ruling (3).

“I am younger, more fresh and I understand politics in a democratic system,” he explained in 2023 to Reuters (4).

Prior to becoming prime minister, Charnvirakul was the health minister, interior minister, deputy prime minister and through his management of the COVID-19 pandemic, grew in popularity within the country (3,4). Charnvirakul also advocated for the legalization of cannabis in 2022.

“He is very much a pragmatic politician, cut from the same cloth as Thaksin Shinawatra,” Napon Jatusripitak, a visiting fellow at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and analyst said (4).

“I intend to work with my full capability,” Charnvirakul mentioned (3). “I must work every day and make the most out of it, with no day off.”

Back in July 2024, Charnvirakul, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, disclosed that cannabis would not be relabeled as a narcotic (5). This was previously “proposed” earlier within the year from then-Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin. With cannabis not becoming classified as a narcotic, cannabis would be allowed to be grown, possessed, and consumed. At the time, plans for the cannabis industry in the country were being discussed. “I thank the Prime Minister for considering this and deciding on legislation,” added Charnvirakul (5).

As mentioned in Cannabis Science and Technology’s July 2024 coverage regarding cannabis not becoming re-criminalized (5), “Under previous leadership, cannabis became legal for medical purposes in 2018 and decriminalized in 2022, making Thailand the first country in Asia to do so. As a result, the country’s businesses and tourism grew significantly, though regulations of the industry were virtually nonexistent and resulted in disagreements between governing parties. Thousands of new dispensaries opened, and the industry is predicted to be worth $1.2 billion by next year. The plant had also been originally promoted as a cash crop to support farmers.”

With the new political leadership change in Thailand, perhaps this may lead to the legalization of cannabis in the country.

References

1. McEvoy, E. Thailand restricts recreational cannabis use, returns to medical-only market https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/thailand-restricts-recreational-cannabis-use-returns-to-medical-only-market (accessed Sep 9, 2025).
2. The Nation. Thailand reclassifies cannabis bud as a controlled herb, restricts sales and advertising https://www.nationthailand.com/news/policy/40051766 (accessed Jun 26, 2025).
3. Ratcliffe, R. Tycoon who led push to decriminalise cannabis becomes Thai PM https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/05/tycoon-anutin-charnvirakul-thai-pm-cannabis-campaign (accessed Sep 9, 2025).
4. Ghoshal, D. Thailand’s Anutin Charnvirakul: From cannabis crusader to prime minister | Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-thailands-anutin-charnvirakul-rose-cannabis-crusader-prime-minister-2025-09-05/ (accessed Sep 9, 2025).
5. McEvoy, E. Amid ongoing regulatory discussions, cannabis in Thailand will not be re-criminalized https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/amid-ongoing-regulatory-discussions-cannabis-in-thailand-will-not-be-re-criminalized (accessed Sep 9, 2025).