Thailand Plans Medical Certificate Requirement for Cannabis Use

Thailand is moving to tighten control over cannabis use by requiring medical certificates for its purchase and consumption, aiming to restrict it to medical purposes only. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced that both Thai and foreign cannabis users will need prescriptions from licensed medical professionals, including traditional Thai medicine practitioners, with the regulation expected within 40 days. The government is also intensifying enforcement against illegal cannabis exports, with significant seizures reported at airports, and warnings of imprisonment for unauthorized export. Authorities plan to impose limits such as a one-month usage cap for medical cannabis, beyond which usage may be considered illegal and subject to prosecution. These measures come nearly three years after cannabis was decriminalized in Thailand, a move that initially led to a rapid expansion of cannabis retailers and recreational use. The initiatives reflect ongoing efforts to regulate the cannabis industry, prevent recreational abuse, and address international concerns about illicit exports.