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Thailand Shifts Cannabis from Shops to Clinics
14 Apr
Summary
- Ordinary cannabis shops in Thailand will soon disappear.
- Licenses renewals demand upgrading to medical facility standards.
- Government aims to strictly control cannabis cultivation and use.

Thailand is enacting measures to transition its cannabis industry from recreational use to a strictly medical focus. This significant policy shift will lead to the closure of ordinary cannabis shops across the country.
Operators seeking to renew their licenses must upgrade their facilities to meet stringent medical standards. This includes ensuring the presence of qualified professionals like doctors or traditional medicine practitioners to dispense cannabis.
The government, through the Public Health Ministry, will closely monitor license renewals and enforce stricter controls on cultivation, extraction, and usage. Hospitals are also prepared to dispense medical cannabis, aligning access with healthcare and treatment services.
Enhanced enforcement authority is a key element, empowering administrative officers alongside health officials and police to uphold new regulations. This move signifies a deliberate effort to regulate the cannabis sector more tightly.