On June 25, at the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin met with representatives of cannabis entrepreneurs and small-scale sellers. Somsak emphasized that even if cannabis is reclassified as a narcotic in the future, businesses operating within the medical framework will be protected.
“If, down the road, cannabis must be reclassified due to societal concerns, medical use will take priority,” said Somsak. He added that license renewals or new applications, should the legal status change, will include commitments preventing lawsuits from operators who already invested under current rules.
Asked if this means cannabis will definitely return to the narcotics list, Somsak replied that the decision depends on outcomes from the current policy. If results are positive, no change will be made, but if not, reclassification is an option.
He admitted that while cannabis was decriminalized in 2022, the process was incomplete and lacked proper legislative support, leading to societal confusion. He criticized those who pushed the change without ensuring sufficient legal framework, calling the process coercive and disorganized.
Meanwhile, Tossaporn Nilkamhang, president of the Thai Industrial Hemp and Cannabis Association, said most of the association’s 43 member companies operate GMP-standard extraction facilities. Since they already comply with controlled substance regulations, any policy shift is unlikely to affect them. However, the association cannot guarantee all members will be unaffected.
Tossaporn added that proper medical cannabis use by tourists is feasible within the legal system, provided they consult a doctor and obtain prescriptions. Extracted products like CBD cosmetics and beverages, which contain no THC, are already regulated by the FDA, ensuring consumer safety and legal compliance.
Kajkanit Saksupha, vice president of the Thai Cannabis Retail and Professional Association, expressed concern over the possible reclassification but continued to support medical cannabis and proper regulation. He urged the government to protect good-faith operators and maintain a clear medical-use policy.