Licences and rules
Thai cannabis law update: what changed in October 2026
Thailand Cannabis Report · Reefers Club Co., Ltd. · Last checked 31 October 2026
October 2026 brought the strongest words on cannabis from the top of the Thai government in two years, and no new rule. Here is what happened, what it means and what to watch next. Everything here comes from public sources.
22 October: the penalty pledge
After a Narcotics Control Board meeting, the Prime Minister said amendments to the narcotics law would raise cannabis penalties and tighten control, keep medical and recreational use clearly separate and strengthen enforcement, including for small-quantity possession. Verified He directed the Ministry of Public Health and related agencies to inspect licensed establishments, with renewal after inspection rather than automatically. Customs was told to step up checks on illegal exports. See what the October 2026 penalty pledge means.
No penalty details had been published by 31 October 2026.
The draft Cannabis Control Act
Approved by the Cabinet in principle on 22 September 2026, the draft now moves through legal review towards Parliament. As reported, it restricts cannabis to medical use, requires shops to become medical facilities to renew and registers cultivation sites by size. Estimated See how the Cannabis Control Act becomes law.
Bills from MPs
Two cannabis bills filed by MPs in July 2026 remain in play, one of them under public consultation since 30 September 2026. Estimated
What is unchanged
- The prescription rule of 26 June 2025.
- Ministerial Regulation No. 2 and its renewal test, in force since 30 April 2026.
- The penalty guideline announced on 22 June 2026.
What to watch in November
- The renewal filing window for licences expiring on 31 December 2026, which opens in the sixty days before expiry. See the licence renewal checklist.
- Any published text of the penalty amendments.
- Inspection activity in tourist areas and major cities.
Section 3 of the report, free to read, covers the rules in force and the 22 October statement.
Sources
- Section 3 of the 2026 report, The rules in force (free to read)
- The Star (Bernama), Thailand to tighten cannabis controls and propose tougher penalties, 22 October 2026
- Nation Thailand, Thai cabinet endorses draft cannabis control bill for medical use, 22 September 2026
- The Star, Thailand moves to rein in cannabis industry, reverse decriminalisation policy, 22 September 2026
This article is market intelligence, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change by notification; check the current text with the relevant authority or Thai counsel before you act.
In short
What happened in Thai cannabis law in October 2026?
The Prime Minister pledged tougher penalties and directed inspections before licence renewal, while the draft Cannabis Control Act moved on from Cabinet approval.
Did any new rule take effect in October 2026?
No new cannabis rule had been published by 31 October 2026. The pledge was a statement of intent.
What should licence holders watch in November?
The renewal filing window for licences expiring on 31 December 2026, and any published penalty amendments.
Is the Cannabis Control Act law yet?
No. It was approved by the Cabinet in principle on 22 September 2026 and still has to pass Parliament.
How often is this update published?
This is a news roundup of public developments. The report itself is an annual edition.
Want the numbers behind this?
This article gives you the argument. The figures, where they come from and how sure we are of each one are in the report.