The cannabis buzz across Thailand is turning into a blunt headache for small business owners, as fresh government rules threaten to wipe out thousands of weed dispensaries that sprouted up after legalisation in 2022.
Along Bangkok’s backpacker haven, Khao San Road, once-plentiful pot shops are already seeing a drop in tourist traffic. New regulations passed in June now mandate that cannabis can only be sold with a medical prescription – a sudden pivot that’s left shop owners scrambling for clarity.
Though the rules are still being finalised, reports suggest that dispensaries may have to reclassify themselves as clinics and hire licensed medical staff – a tall order for smaller operations. Many say the cost of compliance is too high and fear a return to the underground market.
For some, the changes have already forced closures, while others are holding on in hopes of clearer guidelines. The shift comes amid rising public concern over the rapid boom in dispensaries, cannabis smuggling cases involving outbound tourists, and inconsistent enforcement of earlier laws.
What began as a landmark policy reversal in a country once infamous for its harsh drug laws has now turned into a murky legal maze. Locals say the U-turn favours big players while leaving “mom and pop” stores and small-scale farmers out to dry.
With more questions than answers, Thailand’s cannabis industry is left wondering: was the high just a phase?