Thread: Thailand’s Ambiguous Cannabis Laws a Nightmare for Farmers

Community enterprises in northeastern Thailand have asked the government for compensation after investing in cannabis farming but could not obtain a growing license due to ambiguities in the cannabis law.


Cannabis decriminalization was one of the Bhumjaithai Party’s flagship policies in the 2019 election. Later, the coalition party announced plans to pilot a cannabis city project in Nakhon Phanom and to remove cannabis from the narcotics list.


Many local community enterprises collaborated with tambon health promotion hospitals on the project, funded by the Bhumjaithai-led Public Health Ministry’s policy of allowing more than 100 groups to grow cannabis plants at home for medicinal purposes.

However, only a few groups have received permits from the authorities, leaving nearly 100 groups stranded. They also cannot cultivate the plants for commercial purposes because they are illegal.

Ponpawee Chitmat, a 44-year-old member of a community enterprise growing herbs for medicinal purposes, said ten farmers have set up such enterprises to grow cannabis since May last year, with the help of tambon health promotion hospitals.

“We invested about 250,000 baht in a cultivation site and applied for a license more than a year ago, but so far in vain,” she explained.


In June 2022, Thailand’s Ministry of Health classified hemp and cannabis as controlled plants, legalized cannabis to promote its use for therapeutic and health reasons, and restricted its possession and use to those at least 20 years old (unless they have permission from a doctor).


Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in cannabis extracts no higher than 0.2 percent by weight has been delisted by the (FDA) from its list of prohibited substances.

In Thailand, cannabis extracts with a THC content of more than 0.2 percent remain illegal.
It’s important to remember that it’s illegal to smoke marijuana in public. This could result in a three-month prison sentence and a 25,000 Baht fine.


The new cannabis policies only allow for medical or health-related uses; recreational use is not permitted.


Importing goods into Thailand that contain cannabis and hemp extracts, hemp-derived goods, or any cannabis or hemp parts is prohibited.


Plant farming is permitted by companies with a permit and households with registration on the appropriate application.

Thailand's Ambiguous Cannabis Laws A Nightmare For Farmers

It's a mess for sure. When I was talking to a seller at a Kiosk in Pattaya on my recent factory visit, he said this could all end without notice and he admitted he was a bit concerned about getting arrested because they know where he lives and knows he grows. This is why I mentioned in another post, never jump in to fast on a new law here. Fly below the radar until it has all been sussed out. The Drone laws and requirements were my wake up call.

Originally Posted by Norton

There are at least 3 folks in my wee mooban who have applied for permit to grow and have yet to recieve approval after near a year. The entire bill is a joke and an example of the usual political crap where to get a bill passed is full of nonsense compromises to those opposing legalization.

The law needs to be completely revised to keep things simple. Growing, selling and using is legal! Full stop.

It would be typical Thailand to hold off issuing permits until the bill is passed, but who knows when that will be?

Originally Posted by Stumpy

It's a mess for sure. When I was talking to a seller at a Kiosk in Pattaya on my recent factory visit, he said this could all end without notice and he admitted he was a bit concerned about getting arrested because they know where he lives and knows he grows. This is why I mentioned in another post, never jump in to fast on a new law here. Fly below the radar until it has all been sussed out. The Drone laws and requirements were my wake up call.

I don't think it can end without notice. First they have to pass the bill.

Once that's done, it has to be published in the Gazette before it becomes law.

It's not like the bill is being discussed in secret.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

I don't think it can end without notice. First they have to pass the bill.

Once that's done, it has to be published in the Gazette before it becomes law.

It's not like the bill is being discussed in secret.

You tend to assume alot HB. Again for me, no sweat. Not growing it not selling it so no worries. Buy it when I might want it. I laughed when the guy told me that they have a THC max limit. And who is monitoring that? How do they test for it? All laughable IMHO

I am with Norts, either its released and done or just pull the plug. You can't waffle and leave it ambiguous because living here, every province will come up with their own interpretation on how to take money from people like immigration

Originally Posted by Stumpy

You tend to assume alot HB.

I'm not assuming anything. That's how it works.

The police have even returned tonnes to growers after it was decriminalised because they've had no other option.

You can still get busted for smoking it in public, but that isn't a cannabis law.

These idiots are so fucking inept they’d fuck up a car accident.

It truly does take a talent for imbecility to fuck up like a Thai…….or a Brexiteer.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

These idiots are so fucking inept they’d fuck up a car accident.

It truly does take a talent for imbecility to fuck up like a Thai…….or a Brexiteer.

…….. or a retired civil servant who has burned his bridges ……. lol