Government plans tougher cannabis penalties and Narcotics Act changes
PM Anutin Charnvirakul says Thailand will tighten cannabis enforcement, inspect licensed shops and look at amending the Narcotics Act, including for small-quantity possession.
Thailand is preparing stricter cannabis rules and heavier penalties, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on 22 October 2026, after the year's third meeting of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).
What was decided
- Narcotics Act amendments. Proposed changes to the Narcotics Act covering cannabis were discussed at the ONCB meeting. Possession, including small amounts, was part of that discussion, with treatment and rehabilitation to be considered alongside prosecution.
- Shop inspections. The Ministry of Public Health and other agencies were told to inspect licensed cannabis businesses and act against any that break their licence conditions. Licences can be revoked.
- Exports. Customs was told to step up inspections, intelligence work and random checks against illegal exports. Cannabis stems, leaves and flower may only be exported in line with Thai law. CBD extracts can be exported with the right licences and Thai FDA approval.
- Medical and recreational kept apart. The government said medical use will stay separate from recreational use, which remains banned.
Why it matters
No new penalty amounts were announced, so nothing changes for patients or shops today. But it is another signal that enforcement is getting stricter, and that possession rules could change, not just the rules for shops.
It follows the cabinet's approval of the draft Cannabis and Hemp Act on 22 September 2026, which would limit cannabis to medical use and phase out the recreational market. That bill still has to pass Parliament.
What to do now: If you use cannabis, keep your PT33 prescription and purchase receipt with you, and only buy from a licensed outlet. See our guide to the current law and how to check a shop's licence.