Thailand cannabis industry shifts toward medicinal focus

Four years after becoming the first Asian nation to decriminalize cannabis in June 2022, Thailand’s cannabis sector is undergoing a shift toward increased regulation and a focus on medicinal use.

While the initial decriminalization triggered a rapid expansion in production, trade, and cannabis-related tourism, the industry is now seeing a contraction and a move toward more structured oversight. Retailers like Weeden, which operates between 50 and 58 dispensaries across major tourist hubs, have adapted by offering a wide range of products including snacks, cosmetics, and creams in environments resembling high-end cosmetic boutiques.

The industry continues to attract significant international interest, particularly from tourists from countries where cannabis remains strictly illegal, such as China. With travel associations predicting seven million visitors to Thailand this year, the legal cannabis market remains a notable component of the local tourism landscape.