Thailand Cannabis Market Survives New Restrictions, Sales Steady

Dispensary Network Remains Intact Despite Medical Mandate

Thailand's licensed dispensary count stood at approximately 6,800 outlets as of May 2026, down less than 8% from the October 2025 peak of 7,400 stores recorded before the medical-only law took effect. The November 2025 Cannabis Control Act required all cannabis sales to carry medical prescriptions or certifications, effectively ending the recreational market that had operated since June 2022.

Most dispensaries adapted. Field surveys conducted by the Bangkok Post in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket found that operators partnered with telemedicine clinics or hired on-site physicians to issue qualifying certifications. The average consultation fee ranged from 200 to 500 baht ($5.50 to $14 USD), a nominal barrier that preserved customer access.

Revenue Declines Modest, Black Market Fails to Surge

Monthly retail cannabis revenue in Thailand averaged 2.1 billion baht ($58 million USD) from December 2025 through April 2026, a 12% decline from the 2.4 billion baht monthly average recorded in the six months prior to the law's enactment. Tourist-heavy districts saw the steepest drops, as foreign buyers unfamiliar with the new certification process reduced purchases.

Analysts had predicted a 30-40% revenue contraction and a corresponding black-market surge. Neither materialized. Law enforcement data from the Royal Thai Police showed cannabis-related arrests rose only 6% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026, suggesting illicit supply chains didn't expand to fill a regulatory void.

For full background on this story, see the CannIntel topic hub on Thailand Cannabis Regulation.

Compliance Costs and Next Regulatory Steps

The Public Health Ministry reported that 89% of licensed dispensaries had completed certification-partnership agreements or hired credentialed staff by March 2026, exceeding the ministry's 75% compliance target. Smaller operators faced higher per-transaction costs. The ministry logged 540 license surrenders from single-location dispensaries between November 2025 and April 2026, primarily in rural provinces with limited telemedicine infrastructure.

Amendments are coming. The ministry is drafting changes to streamline the certification process, with a public comment period scheduled to open in June 2026. Proposed changes include a standardized digital certification platform and reduced physician-consultation fees for repeat patients. No vote date has been set.