Facing Thailand Cannabis Law in 2025, business owners must navigate the country’s strongest shift yet toward a medical-only cannabis model: all recreational sales and use are now illegal, and licensing rests on GACP standards, Thai-majority ownership, and audited compliance.

Did you know the Ministry of Public Health now requires every cannabis dispensary to be staffed by credentialed medical professionals, with patient logs and prescriptions checked monthly by regulators?

Open cannabis business Thailand licenses medical market

The updated law not only brings harsh penalties and strict recordkeeping, it also forces every operator to rethink partnerships, staffing, export opportunities, and daily procedures.

If you are exploring the potential for a compliant cannabis venture in Thailand, preparation and detailed knowledge are critical.

Key Takeaways

  • Medical-only cannabis laws now apply: Thailand’s 2025 regulations prohibit all recreational use, requiring every cannabis business to strictly operate under a medical framework with licensed professionals.
  • Majority-Thai ownership is mandatory: Foreign investors are capped at 49% ownership, and only entities with a Thai majority can hold the Controlled Herbs License or operate clinics, pharmacies, or cultivation sites.
  • GACP certification is required for growers: All commercial cannabis cultivation must obtain Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) certification from DTAM, ensuring pharmaceutical-grade standards and enabling export opportunities.
  • Ongoing compliance and documentation are critical: Operators must maintain detailed prescription and sales logs, secure patient data, and prepare for regular inspections and audits to remain license-compliant.
  • Severe penalties for non-compliance: Illegal activity can result in fines up to 25,000 THB, license suspension, criminal charges, and deportation for foreign owners, with immediate enforcement for any violation.
  • Licensing steps are strict and specific: Businesses must register with the Department of Business Development (DBD), hire credentialed staff, secure compliant premises, and submit all forms in Thai with full documentation.
  • Strategic partnerships create market advantages: Joint ventures with Thai healthcare providers or GACP-certified growers give access to clinical trial supply, pharmaceutical export, and faster licensing within the evolving legal framework.
  • Digital and paper records must be audit-ready: Consistently update official forms (e.g., Phor Thor 28/29) and inventory logs, and train staff to respond to spot inspections or government audits, ensuring the business stays protected and competitive.

Thailand Cannabis Law 2025: Key Changes for Entrepreneurs

Thailand’s 2025 cannabis regulations have eliminated recreational use and moved all legal activity under a strictly medical-only framework. Any cannabis business must now operate within the rules of the Traditional Thai Medicine Act, Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) regulations, and obtain a Controlled Herbs License.

To launch a compliant business, you must:

  • Register as a Thai Limited Company (majority-Thai ownership is mandatory)
  • Secure qualified partners, as foreigners may hold no more than 49%
  • Maintain exhaustive compliance records and pass ongoing inspections

Penalties for illegal activity are severe, including fines up to 25,000 THB, business shutdown, and criminal prosecution for non-compliance. Frequent amendments mean requirements may evolve rapidly, so ongoing legal review is critical.

For legal updates, consult the Thai FDA – Cannabis Law Updates.

In 2025, only meticulously compliant, medically-focused cannabis businesses will survive in Thailand’s market.

Medical vs. recreational cannabis laws in Thailand

After 2025 changes, recreational cannabis remains illegal for all users, with fines and potential jail time for offenders. Only licensed medical professionals may possess, prescribe, or distribute cannabis, every sales transaction must follow strict prescription and reporting procedures.

Non-licensed sales or unsupervised possession trigger immediate penalties and license revocation. To avoid misinformation, reference Ministry of Public Health cannabis guidelines.

Key takeaway: Operating outside the medical framework, in any form, is now a direct legal risk.

5 major updates in 2025 cannabis regulations

Business owners should be aware of these five major regulatory changes:

  1. Recreational use and retail are fully prohibited
  2. All licenses now require majority-Thai ownership
  3. GACP certification is mandatory for all commercial cultivation
  4. Medication can only be dispensed in licensed clinics or pharmacies
  5. Strict, auditable records for every patient and sale are required

For more legal insights, read Thailand Cannabis Law: Complete Guide for 2025

Frequent, randomized enforcement audits are now standard. Site security, patient documentation, and staff credentials must be maintained at all times.

Thailand’s legal landscape offers opportunity only to those prepared for intense oversight and detailed compliance at every step.

How to Get a Thailand Cannabis Business License

Launching a cannabis business in Thailand for 2025 begins with strict regulatory steps and precise licensing. Business owners must register as a Thai majority company, foreign owners are capped at 49% and must partner with a Thai citizen.

Key steps include:

  • Registering with the Department of Business Development (DBD)
  • Securing a licensed clinic, pharmacy, or compliant cultivation premise (ownership or 3+ year lease required)
  • Hiring at least one credentialed medical or pharmacy professional for dispensaries
  • Applying for a Controlled Herb Handling License (dispensaries) or GACP certification (growers) from the Ministry of Public Health

2025 requirements for cannabis businesses

All operators must keep:

  • Comprehensive prescription logs and sales records (using official forms, e.g., Phor Thor 28/29)
  • Secure, segregated product storage with access controls
  • Strict patient-verification and prescription tracking procedures

Foreign investors must always have a Thai-majority joint venture and cannot independently hold the necessary licenses.

For further requirements, visit the Thailand Department of Business Development (DBD).

Essential Thai licensing and compliance steps

Streamline approval by:

  • Preparing all legal paperwork in Thai with supporting documentation
  • Training staff on record-keeping and audit readiness
  • Registering all cannabis products with the Thai FDA before sale

Efficient compliance and knowledge of these mandatory steps ensures you move swiftly through the licensing process while reducing risk.

Setting Up a Compliant Dispensary or Cultivation Facility

Launching a cannabis business in Thailand demands rigorous facility planning, strict operational protocols, and full adherence to the latest Thailand Cannabis Law.

To operate legally, every dispensary or cultivation facility must:

  • Secure premises with compliant storage, odor, and access controls
  • Obtain all local and national authorizations before construction or renovation
  • Maintain traceable documentation for every product batch

GACP certification guide for growers

GACP certification is now the de facto cultivation license, necessary for any commercial grower.

To achieve GACP under DTAM, growers must:

  1. Register their site with DTAM and schedule official audits
  2. Implement pharmaceutical-grade cleanliness, monitoring, and documentation
  3. Maintain detailed logs for all seeds, crops, and chemical inputs

GACP-certified businesses gain export access and higher trust for medical supply contracts.

Review the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) for step-by-step requirements.

Opening a medical dispensary: staffing, security, documentation

Medical dispensaries must:

  • Employ at least one licensed medical doctor or Thai Traditional Medicine practitioner on-site during business hours
  • Use prescription-only forms and keep standardized records (Phor Thor 28/29)
  • Separate storage, prescription tracking, and continuous state reporting

Maintaining audit trails and staff credentials safeguards the business from severe penalties.

Launching a compliant cannabis facility in Thailand means investing in expert staff, secure premises, and audit-ready records from day one.

Cannabis Compliance, Risks, and Enforcement

Running a cannabis business in Thailand in 2025 means facing strict audits and constant legal oversight. Key enforcement trends include regular facility inspections, document checks, and immediate investigations if violations are suspected.

Common causes for license denial or revocation:

  • Incomplete or inaccurate reporting
  • Prescription sales without proper documentation
  • Employing unlicensed staff or improper security
  • Sourcing cannabis from uncertified suppliers

Penalties for breaking cannabis laws in 2025

Penalties are significant and escalate quickly:

  • Fines up to 25,000 THB per violation
  • Immediate license suspension or revocation
  • Potential imprisonment
  • Foreign owners risk deportation

Outdated tourist-focused sources frequently misstate the law. Always rely on current regulations reported by Bangkok Post – Cannabis Enforcement.

Operators must submit monthly reports, prescription logs, and inventory records for frequent government review.

Essential compliance strategies:

  • Conduct internal audits every quarter
  • Train staff on all new Thailand cannabis law updates
  • Keep digital and paper documentation ready for unannounced inspections

Proactive compliance not only prevents legal issues but can become your strongest business asset. Staying audit-ready remains the best protection against sudden enforcement actions.

Opportunities in Thailand’s Cannabis Market

Thailand’s 2025 medical cannabis laws create distinct business opportunities for those who prioritize strict compliance and specialized partnerships.

Pharmaceutical-grade exports and clinical trial support stand out as growth avenues. Only GACP-certified growers may supply products for global pharma or medical research, opening doors to high-value contracts.

  • Businesses with DTAM GACP certification gain a competitive edge in both export and local medical supply chains.
  • Joint ventures with Thai healthcare providers or biotech firms can streamline licensing and compliance.
  • International investors may take up to 49% equity through Thai partnerships, linking to clinical research or pharmaceutical innovation.

Positioning your business under changing cannabis laws

A proactive compliance framework is essential.

  • Align your SOPs to anticipated regulatory shifts, using up-to-date medical protocols as a market differentiator.
  • Explore vertical integration: controlling cultivation, processing, and dispensing within one Thai-majority company accelerates growth and protects against future law changes.
  • Partnership with Thai medical clinics or universities boosts credibility and licensing speed.

For regulatory insight, the International Narcotics Control Board offers global policy analysis.

Staying flexible, embedding compliance in operations, and seeking strategic partners are the most effective ways to build a resilient, export-ready cannabis business in 2025 Thailand.

FAQ: Cannabis Business in Thailand 2025

Launching a cannabis business in Thailand in 2025 requires strict compliance with updated Thailand Cannabis Law and precise documentation, especially for foreign investors.

Ownership and sales restrictions

  • Foreign ownership is capped at 49 percent; a Thai partner is compulsory for all legal entities.
  • Licenses can only be issued to those with Thai citizenship.
  • Online, delivery, and vending machine cannabis sales are entirely prohibited.
  • All dispensing must occur in a licensed medical dispensary or clinic with certified professional staff on site.

Required compliance documents

  • Maintain detailed patient prescription records with official forms, such as Phor Thor 28 and 29.
  • Inventory tracking logs and certification/audit documents are required for every inspection.
  • These documents must be up to date for surprise audits and monthly government reporting.

Common regulatory pitfalls

  • Businesses failing to comply with the medical-only framework or missing GACP certification risk losing their license and face criminal penalties.
  • Many existing operators are denied license renewal due to outdated processes or poor documentation.

Starting a compliant cannabis business in Thailand means clear ownership, full documentation, and seamless regulatory transitions, empowering operators to meet high standards and avoid critical mistakes.

Conclusion

Establishing a cannabis business in Thailand for 2025 is about more than meeting regulations,it’s about building trust, resilience, and enduring value in a fast-evolving market.

You can take tangible steps today: secure the right Thai-majority structure, organize documentation for audits, partner with qualified professionals, invest in GACP certification, and continuously monitor regulatory updates for proactive compliance.

Contact us for tailored legal guidance and end-to-end support. Themis Partner equips you with strategic clarity, operational readiness, and ongoing protection as you navigate the challenges ahead.