The Ministry of Public Health is pushing for a new regulation on cannabis before the next government takes office, with the draft now under review by the Office of the Council of State.

The regulation would mark a major shift in the cannabis sector by restricting sales to designated venues such as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, herbal shops and authorised folk‑healer premises. Sellers would need to get licences from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, which also provides mandatory training.

The ministry had submitted the draft for consideration, though it remained unclear whether approval would come in time. 

The draft would not need to return to cabinet even if delayed; a new minister could either continue with it or scrap it, depending on policy direction, the department said.

According to the department, Thailand currently has 18,433 registered cannabis shops. Of these, 8,636 licences expired last year, and just 1,339 outlets renewed their permits.