### Thailand's Cannabis Industry Faces Major Setback as Government Reinstates Prescription Requirement - In a significant policy reversal, Thailand's Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has signed an order banning the sale of cannabis without a prescription, effectively reinstating controls on a substance that was decriminalized just three years ago. This move comes amid rising concerns about public health, particularly regarding the drug's accessibility to minors and increasing addiction rates [https://indianexpress.com/article/world/thailand-cannabis-ban-sales-without-prescription-decriminalization-10090377][https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3482132-thailand-tightens-cannabis-control-amid-controversy]. - Thailand was the first country in Southeast Asia to decriminalize cannabis in June 2022, which led to a burgeoning industry valued at over $1 billion. However, the recent decision to require a doctor's approval for cannabis sales has left many store owners and industry stakeholders anxious about the future of their businesses [https://fortune.com/asia/2025/06/26/thailand-tightens-rules-cannabis-sales][https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/thailand-moves-recriminalize-cannabis-shaking-1-billion-industry-rcna215159]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Key Segments 1. **Policy Change**: The Thai government has reinstated a prescription requirement for cannabis sales, reversing the decriminalization policy enacted in 2022 [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-cannabis-recriminalise-tighten-sales-rules-stores-fret-5204601]. 2. **Industry Impact**: The cannabis industry, which has thrived since decriminalization, is now facing uncertainty and potential collapse due to the new regulations [https://www.ibtimes.com/thai-cannabis-stores-fret-government-moves-tighten-rules-sales-3776872]. 3. **Public Health Concerns**: The government cites rising addiction rates and the drug's availability to children as primary reasons for the policy shift [https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/06/26/thailand-rolls-back-cannabis-laws-bans-sales-without-prescription]. 4. **Political Context**: The Bhumjaithai Party, which initially supported cannabis legalization, has withdrawn from the ruling coalition, further complicating the political landscape surrounding cannabis regulation [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/3481059-thailands-cannabis-conundrum-from-legalization-boom-to-recriminalization-bust]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Industry Valuation**: The cannabis industry in Thailand was estimated to be worth over **$1 billion** prior to the new regulations [https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/thailand-moves-recriminalise-cannabis-shaking-1-bln-industry-2025-06-25]. - **Public Health Statistics**: Reports indicate a rise in addiction cases linked to cannabis use, prompting the government to act [https://www.soundtelegraph.com.au/news/health/thailand-restricts-cannabis-after-decriminalization-c-19161963]. - **Political Developments**: The exit of the Bhumjaithai Party from the coalition has raised questions about the stability of cannabis policies moving forward [https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3315632/thailand-moves-recriminalise-cannabis-except-medical-use]. ### Conclusion: A Turning Point for Thailand's Cannabis Policy 1. **Policy Reversal**: Thailand's government has taken a decisive step to reinstate prescription requirements for cannabis sales, marking a significant shift from its previous decriminalization stance [https://indianexpress.com/article/world/thailand-cannabis-ban-sales-without-prescription-decriminalization-10090377]. 2. **Industry Uncertainty**: The new regulations threaten to destabilize an industry that has flourished since 2022, leaving many businesses in jeopardy [https://fortune.com/asia/2025/06/26/thailand-tightens-rules-cannabis-sales]. 3. **Public Health Focus**: The government's actions are driven by concerns over public health and safety, particularly regarding youth access to cannabis [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3482132-thailand-tightens-cannabis-control-amid-controversy]. 4. **Political Implications**: The political landscape surrounding cannabis regulation is shifting, especially following the Bhumjaithai Party's exit from the ruling coalition, which may lead to further changes in policy [https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/thailand-moves-recriminalize-cannabis-shaking-1-billion-industry-rcna215159]. This situation highlights the complexities of cannabis regulation in Thailand and the potential ramifications for both public health and the economy.