Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:18pm on 26 Jun 2025,Thursday International
Thailand has reversed its 2022 cannabis decriminalisation policy, banning sales without medical prescriptions. Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed an order reclassifying cannabis buds as a controlled herb, amid rising addiction and child access concerns. The move follows a surge in cannabis-related smuggling and a sharp rise in addiction cases. The Pheu Thai-led government blamed under-regulation and vowed stricter controls. However, cannabis advocates plan to protest next month, calling the move politically driven. The influential Bhumjaithai Party, which supported decriminalisation, quit the coalition last week after political tensions. The order takes effect once published in the Royal Gazette.
