# Thailand cannabis industry regulation and medicinal shift > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/thailand-cannabis-industry-regulation-and-medicinal-shift > Updated: 2026-10-18T04:47:09.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Thailand is transitioning its cannabis sector from the rapid expansion seen following its 2022 decriminalization toward a more regulated framework focused on medicinal use. The Thai Cabinet has approved a draft cannabis control bill intended to replace existing regulations with a nationwide system for cultivation, production, import, export, and sale. The proposed legislation seeks to tighten oversight by requiring growers to register plantations and introducing strict prohibitions, such as banning sales to individuals under 20, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women. It also restricts sales near schools, temples, and parks, while prohibiting the advertising of certain cannabis products. To comply with these shifts, existing businesses must transition into licensed medical facilities that operate under medical prescriptions. While the industry is seeing a contraction in some areas, retailers are adapting by diversifying products into cosmetics and snacks. The legal cannabis market remains a significant component of the local tourism landscape, attracting international interest. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-18: Thailand cannabis industry shifts toward medicinal focus Four years after decriminalization, Thailand's cannabis industry is shifting toward stricter regulation and medicinal use while remaining a draw for international tourists. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thailand-cannabis-industry-shifts-toward-medicinal-focus ### 2026-09-22: Thailand Cabinet approves draft bill to tighten cannabis industry controls Thailand’s Cabinet approved a draft bill to tighten cannabis controls, shifting the industry toward medical use and requiring stricter registration, licensing, and oversight of cultivation and sales. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thailand-cabinet-approves-draft-bill-to-tighten-cannabis-industry-controls --- Cite as: Thailand cannabis industry regulation and medicinal shift. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/thailand-cannabis-industry-regulation-and-medicinal-shift