Crackdown on Illegal Cannabis Shops: 6,000 Licenses Expired, Doctor Supervision Mandated

Khaosod•Politics•18d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Minister of Public Health orders a crackdown on illegal cannabis dispensaries as 6,000 licenses have expired, emphasizing the need for medical supervision and strict adherence to medical-use policies.

•Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul announced a campaign against illegal cannabis shops whose licenses have expired.
•Approximately 6,000 out of 18,000 licensed cannabis shops have had their permits expire since 2025.
•New regulations mandate registered cannabis businesses to operate as medical facilities with resident doctors to oversee sales for medical purposes.
•The government reiterates that its cannabis policy is strictly for medical use, with a new bill to further regulate cultivation and sales expected.

Overview

•In 2025, approximately 6,000 out of 18,000 licensed cannabis shops had their permits expire, resulting in increased scrutiny.
•Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an increase in personnel for inspection and enforcement actions against unregistered cannabis vendors.
•The Ministry of Public Health's policy on cannabis is strictly for medical purposes, stemming from the Bhumjaithai Party's platform.
•A draft cannabis and hemp control bill, which includes penalties for violations, has completed public hearings but missed the current parliamentary session, and is expected to be considered later.
•Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that unregistered and unlicensed cannabis shops will be subject to immediate arrest to ensure public safety and compliance.
•The Minister warned that while cannabis is not illegal in Thailand, it remains a controlled substance in many destination countries, necessitating careful checks of transit laws.
•It is anticipated that an estimated 6,000 shops will have their licenses expire annually in 2026 and 2027, requiring proactive renewal processes.
•Registered cannabis businesses must adapt to new regulations requiring them to function as medical facilities with resident doctors to supervise sales for legitimate medical needs, in order to prevent misuse and the over-prescription of cannabis.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Khaosod (Thai Version)

Source: Khaosod (Original)

View Original Article

Key Quotes

Anutin Charnvirakul

"Currently, the laws protecting it are the Herbs Protection and Promotion Act and various ministerial regulations, which control sales, distribution, and extraction, but have never covered cultivation."

ปัจจุบันกฎหมายที่คุ้มครองอยู่คือ พ.ร.บ.คุ้มครองและส่งเสริมสมุนไพร และกฎกระทรวงต่างๆ เป็นการควบคุมเรื่องการขาย และการส่งต่อ และควบคุมเรื่องการสกัด แต่ยังไม่เคยมีครอบคลุมจนถึงการปลูก

Anutin Charnvirakul

"Although cannabis is not a narcotic in Thailand today, in destination countries, many still consider it a narcotic. Therefore, when transporting, one must check the laws of the destination country."

แม้ปัจจุบันกัญชาในประเทศไทยจะไม่ใช่ยาเสพติด แต่ในประเทศปลายทางที่เดินทางไป หลายประเทศยังคงเป็นยาเสพติดอยู่ เพราะฉะนั้นการขนย้าย ต้องเช็กกฎหมายของประเทศไทยปลายทางด้วย

Anutin Charnvirakul

"These shops must be arrested. If they are unregistered, unlicensed shops, they can be arrested immediately."

ร้านเหล่านี้ต้องเข้าไปจับกุม ถ้าเป็นร้านที่ไม่ได้ลงทะเบียน ไม่ได้ขออนุญาต สามารถจับได้ทันที

Key Entities

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(นายพัฒนา พร้อมพัฒน์)ℹ️

Minister of Public Health and a key figure in the Bhumjaithai Party, overseeing the government's cannabis policy and enforcement actions.

Minister of Public Health(รมว.สาธารณสุข)

The official title held by Anutin Charnvirakul, responsible for Thailand's public health system and health-related policies, including cannabis.

Organization

Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

A political party in Thailand that champions the medical use of cannabis and influences national policy related to the plant.

Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine(กรมการแพทย์แผนไทยและแพทย์ทางเลือก)

A Thai government department responsible for the administration and promotion of traditional Thai medicine and alternative healthcare, including aspects of cannabis regulation.

Customs Department(กรมศุลกากร)

The Thai government agency responsible for collecting customs duties and controlling the import and export of goods, including efforts to prevent illicit cannabis trafficking.

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT)(การท่าอากาศยานแห่งประเทศไทย)

The state-owned enterprise that operates major airports in Thailand, playing a role in preventing the illegal movement of goods, including cannabis, through air travel.

Law

Cannabis and Hemp Control Act(พ.ร.บ.ควบคุมกัญชา กัญชง)

A proposed piece of legislation in Thailand aimed at regulating the cultivation, sale, and use of cannabis and hemp, currently awaiting parliamentary consideration.

Herbs Protection and Promotion Act(พ.ร.บ.คุ้มครองและส่งเสริมสมุนไพร)

Existing legislation in Thailand that provides a framework for the protection and promotion of medicinal herbs, which currently governs some aspects of cannabis control.