Tourists in Thailand Now Need Prescription to Purchase Marijuana

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thailand has tightened the sale of marijuana to foreign tourists. Tourists who wish to purchase marijuana must show a doctor's prescription. The regulation aims to limit the widespread use of marijuana in the country's tourist spots.

Announced on June 27, the Thai government declared that marijuana use is only allowed for medical and health purposes, as reported by CNN. "This must be clearly understood: cannabis is permitted for medical use only," said Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin.

Based on the new regulations, tourists must provide a medical certificate issued by a doctor in Thailand or their home country to buy marijuana buds. Some medical conditions allowed for marijuana use in the country include chemotherapy-induced nausea, drug-resistant epilepsy, or nerve pain.

Licensed marijuana stores are now only allowed to sell to customers with valid medical prescriptions. They are also required to keep detailed sales records and are subject to regular inspections by authorities.

Thailand is not a Destination for Recreational Marijuana Consumption

The new regulation also imposes stricter rules on growers and cultivators, prohibits commercial advertising, and bans the sale of marijuana through vending machines or online platforms."We want to tell tourists they are welcome to enjoy Thailand’s culture and nature — but Thailand should not be seen as a destination for recreational cannabis use," added Somsak.

Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsab stated in a release that the government has directed the Health Ministry to tighten control over marijuana sales. Many stores have opened to sell marijuana for recreational and medical purposes, making it easily accessible to children and the general public. This is seen as contradicting the government's efforts to combat drug use.

Thailand decriminalized recreational marijuana use in 2022, but initially, there was no clear regulatory framework. Since then, tens of thousands of marijuana-related businesses have opened, especially in tourist-rich areas like Khao San Road in the capital, Bangkok, or Pattaya. Many tourists have also come to enjoy marijuana legally.

Now, more than 18,000 licensed marijuana stores nationwide must adapt or risk closure. Sellers found violating the new regulations could face up to one year in prison or a fine of 20,000 baht. The Health Ministry has proposed new legislation that will significantly increase these penalties.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated that the marijuana industry, including medicinal products, could be worth US$1.2 billion by 2025.

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