Thailand is all set to impose stricter controls on cannabis by banning its sales without a medical prescription. The move comes three years after Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis in 2022, leading to a boom in tourism and cannabis-related businesses.
However, widespread public backlash over under-regulation and rising addiction, particularly among the youth, has made the government to reconsider its stance.
On Monday, Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed an order prohibiting shops from selling cannabis to customers without valid medical prescriptions. The order also proposes to reclassifying cannabis buds as a controlled herb. The order will come into effect once published in the Royal Gazette. However, date is not confirmed for the publication yet.