BANGKOK — Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) says it has intensified oversight of medical cannabis businesses nationwide, carrying out more than 1,200 inspections in recent weeks as authorities seek to ensure cannabis is used strictly for medical purposes.
According to figures released by DTAM and cited by government and health-sector media outlets, authorities inspected more than 1,247 cannabis establishments across the country, resulting in enforcement actions including arrests, licence suspensions and the seizure of suspicious items.
The agency said the measures are intended to ensure compliance with existing regulations while protecting public health.
The figures were highlighted by Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythale Lucksameesangchan, who said the Ministry of Public Health has instructed relevant agencies to strengthen monitoring of cannabis-related activities and businesses.
DTAM’s Medical Cannabis Information and Coordination Center also reported receiving 209 inquiries between 1 and 31 May, according to the agency. Officials said 187 questions were answered immediately, with most inquiries relating to training programmes and licence stickers. DTAM reported public satisfaction with the service at 93.26%.
Authorities have also continued to investigate complaints submitted through the Traffy Fondue platform. DTAM said 73 reports of alleged cannabis-related violations were received between 1 May and 12 June. Five cases have been resolved, while another five remain under active investigation.
Health-sector publication Hfocus reported that DTAM Deputy Director-General Dr. Thewan Thaneerat and Medical Cannabis Division Director Dr. Peeracha Kukasemkij recently outlined several enforcement operations carried out by officials.
According to the report, authorities inspected multiple locations on 11 June, including a case in Pak Kret district involving approximately 1.255 kilograms of cannabis allegedly being prepared for shipment to the United Kingdom. Officials also conducted follow-up inspections at three businesses in Don Mueang whose licences had been suspended, as well as inspections of three cannabis shops in Bangkok’s Watthana and Sathon districts following complaints.
Thailand decriminalised cannabis in 2022, becoming the first country in Asia to do so. However, the government has since moved to tighten regulations amid concerns about recreational use and the rapid expansion of cannabis-related businesses.
Officials have repeatedly stated that cannabis should be used primarily for medical and health-related purposes under existing regulations.
DTAM said enforcement efforts, complaint investigations and inspections will continue as authorities work to ensure compliance with Thailand’s cannabis laws.
The inspections come as Thailand continues to reassess its cannabis policy following the plant’s decriminalisation in 2022. Although cannabis businesses have proliferated across the country since then, policymakers have faced growing pressure from some public health groups and political parties to impose stricter controls. Current government policy favours limiting cannabis use to medical and health-related purposes rather than allowing an unrestricted recreational market.
