Thailand Tightens Cannabis Sales Following Rising Addiction Concerns

Thailand is moving to tighten control over cannabis sales three years after it became the first Asian country to decriminalize the drug in 2022. The government, led by Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, issued an order banning cannabis sales to individuals without a prescription and proposing to reclassify cannabis buds as a controlled herb, citing concerns over under-regulation, increased addiction rates, and easy access to minors. This regulatory shift has sparked backlash from cannabis store owners and activists who argue that the industry has become well-established and that the government should focus on proper taxation and regulation instead. The political landscape is strained, with the ruling Pheu Thai Party advocating stricter controls while the former coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party, which supported decriminalization, recently withdrew amid tensions. Authorities plan to enforce the new rules upon official publication in the Royal Gazette, though the timing remains uncertain. Advocacy groups are preparing protests against the changes, viewing them as politically motivated, while the government maintains its commitment to addressing public health issues related to cannabis use.