Does Thailand have a recreational use program?

Thailand decriminalized all parts of the cannabis plant, making it the first country in Asia to do so. Marijuana products must have no more than 0.2% THC per dry weight which applies to edibles, flowers, and all cannabis extracts.

However, The newly appointed prime minister of Thailand declared in September 2023 that he intended to amend the country’s cannabis laws to restrict their usage to medicine within six months. This will put an end to the general sale of cannabis for recreational purposes and drastically change the market just one year after Thailand took the historic decision to legalize the drug.

Does Thailand have a medical program?

Yes, medical cannabis is legal in Thailand. Thailand was the first country in Asia to approve medical marijuana in 2018.

What are the rules for medical use?

In 2018, Thailand legalized medicinal marijuana, enabling medical professionals and clinics to market and deliver cannabis treatment services. As a result, certain cannabis-based medications are now listed on Thailand’s national pharmaceuticals roster, enabling public hospitals to provide cannabis treatments for a range of medical ailments as part of the country’s universal healthcare program.

Patients can obtain cannabis medications from licensed cannabis stores, and pharmacies.

What are the qualifying medical conditions for eligibility?

• Allergies
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Anorexia
• Cancer
• Cerebral palsy
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Inflammation
• Lupus
• Lymphoma
• Migraine
• Opiate addiction
• Pain
• Parkinson’s disease
• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Stroke
• Tourette’s syndrome

What are the medical program limits?

There aren’t any limits on the number of plants that each person can grow at the moment but cannabis growers are required to register with Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration. 

It is strictly prohibited to consume cannabis in public areas, including shopping malls, schools, and temples. People are allowed to use marijuana in their homes or other private spaces.

Those who are pregnant or nursing are not allowed to possess or consume cannabis, however, they may make an exception if they can show that they have a doctor’s approval.

What methods of use are permitted under the medical program?

• edibles
• food supplements
• cosmetics
• smoking – in private only

Is there home delivery for medical cannabis?

Some websites provide patients with medical cannabis home delivery services.

Is CBD legal in Thailand?

The Thai government has taken CBD and other low-THC cannabis and hemp extracts off the list of prohibited substances as of September 2019. This implies that CBD products with a THC concentration of less than 0.2% are now acceptable for buying and consumption in Thailand without worrying about facing legal consequences.

Is cannabis decriminalized in Thailand?

Yes, cannabis is decriminalized in Thailand.

The Thai government decriminalized cannabis and hemp with less than 0.2% THC on June 9, 2022, a progressive move that removed both from the Category 5 list of drugs. This change made it possible for Thai nationals to cultivate and market cannabis for therapeutic uses.

Despite the legalization of cannabis, there are still severe penalties and enforcement for its usage in Thailand. Smoking cannabis in public is illegal in Thailand and carries a fine of 25,000 Baht in addition to a possible three-month jail sentence.

The maximum penalty for possessing up to 10 kg of marijuana is 15 years in prison and a fine of up to 1.5 million baht.