Minister Somsak signs new regulation controlling only cannabis flower buds, requiring medical certification for buyers, restricting sales to licensed professionals, banning online ads, and enforcing strict location and usage rules. PATTAYA, Thailand – The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand has issued a new announcement regarding the control of herbal medicines, specifically targeting cannabis, which is classified as a controlled herb due to its significance for study, research, and economic importance. The announcement was signed by Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health, on June 23, 2025, following a public consultation period organized by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. The consultation on the draft announcement took place from May 22 to June 5, 2025, and was later extended until June 15, 2025, totaling 25 days. Approximately 59% of respondents supported the draft. This 2025 announcement supersedes and repeals the previous Ministry of Public Health Announcement on Controlled Herbal Medicine (Cannabis) B.E. 2565 (2022), which had classified cannabis as a controlled herb primarily for study, research, and economic purposes. The new regulation narrows control specifically to the flower buds (inflorescences) of cannabis plants, genus Cannabis, family Cannabaceae, to prevent misuse of these parts beyond intended therapeutic or research purposes. Key Provisions of the Announcement Effective Date This announcement comes into effect the day after its publication in the Royal Gazette. Repeal of Previous Announcement The 2022 announcement on controlled herbal medicine (cannabis) dated November 11, 2022, is officially repealed. Scope of Controlled Herbal Medicine Only the flower buds of cannabis plants are designated as controlled herbal medicine under this announcement. Licensing Requirements for Commercial Activities Any person or entity intending to study, research, export, sell, or process cannabis herbal medicine commercially must obtain a license under Section 46 of the relevant law. License holders must adhere to the following conditions: -Documentation and Reporting: Licensees must maintain detailed records of the sources of cannabis flower buds, how they are used, and the inventory held at their establishments. These records must be reported to the registrar in a format specified by the Director-General. -Export Controls: Licensees exporting controlled herbal medicine must notify the licensing authority each time they export, providing detailed shipment information as required. -Restricted Sales: Sale and processing of controlled herbal medicine are only permitted to other licensees authorized under Section 46. -Quality Control: All cannabis herbal medicine sold or exported must come from cultivation and harvesting operations certified by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, meeting standards for good cultivation and harvesting practices. -Prohibition on Smoking Sales: Sale of cannabis herbal medicine for smoking is prohibited at commercial establishments, except when sold by licensed medical professionals or practitioners, including: Licensed medical doctors under medical profession law Licensed Thai traditional medicine practitioners Licensed applied Thai medicine practitioners Licensed traditional healers under Thai traditional medicine law Licensed Chinese medicine practitioners under the Medical Arts Act Licensed dentists under dental profession law Sales to patients must be for treatment only. -Prohibition on Automated and Online Sales: Selling controlled herbal medicine or products derived from it through vending machines, electronic channels, or computer networks (online) is strictly prohibited. -Ban on Advertising: All forms of advertising controlled herbal medicine for commercial purposes across any channel are forbidden. -Restrictions on Sale Locations: Controlled herbal medicine cannot be sold in the following locations: Temples or religious ceremony venues Dormitories regulated under dormitory law Public parks, zoos, and amusement parks -Prescription Requirement: Sales to any individual must be accompanied by a prescription issued by licensed medical professionals as listed above, or pharmacists under pharmacy profession law. Prescriptions must specify the quantity needed for treatment, limited to a maximum usage period of 30 days. Compliance for Existing Licensees Persons holding licenses under Section 46 prior to the announcement’s effective date must comply with the new regulations relating to cannabis flower buds, including the reporting formats and export declaration requirements prescribed by the Director-General. Date of Announcement: June 23, 2025 Signed by: Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health