Thailand cannabis law in November 2026: what is legal right now

A plain-English summary of Thailand's cannabis rules: medical use only, PT33 prescriptions, where you can and cannot use it, penalties, and where the Cannabis and Hemp Act stands.

Short answer: Cannabis is legal in Thailand only for medical use, with a prescription. Recreational use and sales have been banned since June 2025. Everything below is current as of 4 November 2026. Laws here change quickly, so check the date at the top of this page.

The rules in one table

Question	Answer
Can I use cannabis recreationally?	No. Recreational use is not permitted.
Can I buy cannabis flower?	Only with a PT33 prescription from a licensed Thai practitioner.
How old do I need to be?	20 or older.
Do foreign prescriptions or medical cards count?	No. You need a Thai PT33.
How much can I get?	Up to a 30-day supply per prescription.
Can I smoke in public?	No. Use is private only.
Can shops sell online or deliver?	No. Online sales, delivery and vending machines are banned.
Can shops let customers smoke inside?	No. That can cost a shop its licence.
Can I take cannabis out of Thailand or bring it in?	No, under any circumstances.
Is CBD legal?	Products with less than 0.2% THC are treated more leniently, but food, drinks and cosmetics still need Thai FDA approval.

How we got here

9 June 2022: Cannabis is removed from the narcotics list. Thousands of shops open.
23 to 26 June 2025: The Ministry of Public Health reclassifies cannabis flower as a "controlled herb" under the Thai traditional medicine law. Sales now need a prescription, and advertising, online sales and vending machines are banned.
30 June 2025: The PT33 prescription form is introduced.
January 2026: The Ministry of Public Health reports that more than 7,000 shops closed in 2025 after not renewing their licences.
21 April 2026: The government launches MC-GIS, an official online map of licensed shops.
26 April 2026: A separate regulation under the Narcotics Code lets licensed businesses produce or sell extracts above 0.2% THC for medical purposes only.
30 April 2026: A ministerial regulation limits new and renewed flower licences to medical facilities, pharmacies, herbal retailers and traditional healers' workplaces.
17 June 2026: Customs introduces a 30,000 baht per kilo fine for attempted cannabis exports.
22 June 2026: DTAM publishes licence suspension and revocation rules for shops.
22 September 2026: Cabinet approves the draft Cannabis and Hemp Act (medical use only). It still has to pass Parliament.
22 October 2026: The PM says penalties will be toughened and Narcotics Act amendments, including on possession, are under discussion.

The PT33 prescription

The PT33 (in Thai, ภ.ท.33) is the official prescription form for cannabis flower. Practitioners from seven licensed professions can issue one, including medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists and Thai traditional medicine practitioners. Each prescription records the prescriber's licence number, your name, age, nationality and ID or passport number, the diagnosis, the daily dose and the total amount, which can cover no more than 30 days. The shop keeps a copy for at least a year.

Read our step-by-step guide to getting a PT33 in Bangkok.

Penalties to know

These figures come from current notifications and reporting. The pending Act may change them.

Selling without a licence or without a prescription: up to 1 year in prison and/or a 20,000 baht fine, under the traditional medicine law.
Smoking in public or causing a nuisance: can be prosecuted under public nuisance law, with up to 3 months in prison and a 25,000 baht fine.
Exporting cannabis: up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to four times the value of the goods, plus a 30,000 baht per kilo customs fine.
Shops: 30 to 90 day licence suspensions, or revocation for serious breaches such as selling to under-20s or selling online.

Where the Cannabis and Hemp Act stands

The cabinet approved the draft on 22 September 2026. It would regulate cannabis from cultivation to sale, require shops to operate as medical facilities with a professional on site, and phase out recreational sales. It is not law yet. Existing shop licences expire in batches in 2026, 2027 and 2028, and shops must meet the new standards to renew.

Practical tips

Only buy from a shop listed on the official MC-GIS map. Here is how to check.
Keep your PT33 and receipt with you whenever you carry cannabis.
Use it in private, never near schools, temples or in public places.
Never buy edibles or anything sold online or by delivery.
Never carry cannabis across a border.

This page is general information, not legal advice. If you are facing a legal problem, speak to a Thai lawyer.