BANGKOK — 22 April 2026, Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is rolling out a GIS-based system to monitor licensed cannabis outlets, reinforcing a policy that restricts use to medical purposes.
Dr. Thewan Thaneerat, deputy director-general of the department under the Ministry of Public Health, said on Tuesday the move aims to bring clearer and more effective oversight while related legal processes are under way.
The Medical Cannabis GIS (MC-GIS) platform will verify that mapped outlets hold valid licences to sell and process cannabis and are operating legally. It will also allow the public to check authorised locations online and help officials track compliance more proactively.
Authorities said the system is designed to improve transparency, ensure public safety and build confidence that cannabis is used appropriately for healthcare.
According to the department, there have been 18,517 cannabis-related establishments registered in total, with 7,131 shutting down in 2025 after failing to renew licences. That leaves 11,386 outlets currently operating legally.
The public can access the MC-GIS platform online to verify licensed shops and cultivation sites, and report suspected illegal operations via the Traffy Fondue application, officials said.
