Pattaya’s cannabis scene stays open — for now — as new medical regulations roll out. PATTAYA, Thailand – The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that cannabis dispensaries across Thailand, including Pattaya, can continue operating — but only under stricter conditions aligned with upcoming medical-use regulations. Business owners are being given time to adapt to new rules, which will soon require all cannabis sales to be made by prescription and overseen by qualified medical professionals. At a press conference held on July 8, Public Health Minister’s Secretary Dr. Thanakrit Jitareerat, along with Dr. Somruek Choengsaman from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, outlined key developments. The ministry emphasized that while cannabis remains classified as a controlled herb, it has not been reclassified as a narcotic, as some groups feared. Instead, it will fall under tighter medical-use protocols designed to curb misuse and protect public health. “We’re not closing cannabis shops overnight,” Dr. Thanakrit said. “We’re regulating them — giving operators a transition period to meet the new medical standards.” Transition Toward Clinic-Based Sales Under the new framework, dispensaries will be allowed to sell cannabis only to individuals with a doctor’s prescription using an official form known as Por Thor 33. To support this system, the ministry will begin training both traditional Thai and modern physicians to issue prescriptions legally. An estimated 2,000 doctors are expected to complete certification training, with the first wave of courses set for July 16. This means each doctor could be responsible for overseeing up to 10 cannabis dispensaries, given Thailand’s roughly 18,000 licensed shops. Moreover, the Department of Thai Traditional Medicine will begin training cannabis shop staff — or “budtenders” — on July 17 in a separate 3-day program, ensuring retailers understand the legal and medical responsibilities required under the law. All cannabis must come from certified, contaminant-free growing sites. “We’re not closing cannabis shops overnight,” said Dr. Thanakrit. “We’re regulating them.” Dr. Somruek added, “This isn’t a ban. It’s a new beginning — one that brings order, safety, and credibility to cannabis in Thailand.” Regulatory Crackdown Already Underway Already, the ministry has launched a nationwide inspection campaign. Out of 1,565 dispensaries checked within one month: -82 had their licenses suspended -5 licenses were revoked -7 operators were arrested for unauthorized sales -322 shops closed voluntarily Authorities discovered widespread illegal cultivation — with 3,000 to 4,000 unlicensed grow sites — alongside evidence of contamination and unregulated distribution. Dr. Somruek noted that Thailand currently consumes 47 tons of cannabis annually, with 71 tons in dry flower capacity and 24 tons exported per year. Stricter Reporting and Enforcement As of July 1, all licensed dispensaries must submit monthly sales reports, including attached prescription copies. Failure to comply may result in suspension, or in cases of falsified documentation, criminal charges for forging official records. Private Home Growers Not Immune Home cultivation remains legal for personal use, but if individuals are found carrying quantities suggesting distribution (e.g., over 1 gram without a prescription), they risk prosecution under laws governing traditional medicine. Penalties can include up to one year in jail, fines up to 20,000 baht, or both. With over 18,000 dispensaries nationwide, new rules aim to turn cannabis into a regulated health product. New Licensing Rules Underway By the end of this year, all existing and new cannabis shops — an estimated 12,000 outlets renewing their licenses — must comply with the revised regulations. That includes: -Employing an on-site licensed prescribing doctor -Selling only cannabis sourced from certified farms -Undergoing official government training A draft regulation outlining these requirements is currently open for public feedback until July 12, 2025. The ministry urges all stakeholders to participate in the consultation to shape the final rules. A Message for Pattaya’s Cannabis Sector Pattaya’s cannabis industry — popular with tourists and locals alike — remains in operation for now. But the city’s shop owners are being put on notice: the era of freewheeling, unregulated cannabis commerce is ending. What follows will look more like a medical clinic than a novelty café. “This isn’t a ban. It’s a new beginning — one that brings order, safety, and credibility to cannabis in Thailand,” said Dr. Somruek. As enforcement tightens and oversight increases, Pattaya’s cannabis shops now stand at a crossroads: comply, adapt — or close. From free-for-all to medical model — Thailand transitions cannabis sales toward doctor-supervised clinics.