Thailand Mandates Cannabis Dispensaries Convert to Medical Clinics by November

Thailand, after decriminalizing cannabis in 2022 and witnessing a surge in dispensaries akin to a 'tropical Amsterdam,' is now rolling back recreational cannabis access by requiring dispensaries to transition into medical clinics with licensed doctors on-site, effectively ending recreational sales under the new regulations. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is enforcing these changes with a license renewal deadline in November, aiming to control public health concerns and regulate cannabis strictly for medical purposes. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, the recreational marijuana market is slowly expanding with new dispensaries opening, including a notable Native tribe-operated shop in St. Cloud that offers cannabis grown on tribal land. However, local licensing processes remain a challenge, as some areas like St. Cloud have zoning restrictions limiting cannabis business operations despite state legalization. Worthington, Minnesota, is also considering a new cannabis dispensary, which could open within months, benefiting from tribal cultivation and manufacturing partnerships to quickly stock products. These developments illustrate contrasting approaches: Thailand tightening control and medicalizing cannabis sales, while parts of the U.S., such as Minnesota, cautiously expand recreational cannabis access amid regulatory hurdles.