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Workplace cannabis policies for employers in Thailand
Thailand Cannabis Report · Reefers Club Co., Ltd. · Last checked 31 October 2026
When cannabis left Thailand's narcotics list in 2022, many employers found their drug policies out of date overnight. The rules have moved again since, towards prescriptions and medical use. A clear workplace policy is still the employer's best tool.
What the law says now
- Cannabis flower is a controlled herb, sold by licensed shops against a PT.33 prescription since 26 June 2025.
- Extracts above 0.2% THC by weight are Category 5 narcotics.
- Cannabis smoke and smell can be a public nuisance.
- The Prime Minister announced on 22 October 2026 that penalties would rise and enforcement would tighten, including for small-quantity possession. Verified
Employers can set rules
Thai employers can include rules on alcohol, drugs and cannabis in their work regulations, applied consistently. Estimated A rule against being impaired at work, or using cannabis on the premises, does not depend on whether the substance is legal outside work.
What a policy should cover
- Scope: use, possession and impairment at work and on company premises or vehicles.
- Safety-critical roles: stricter rules for driving, machinery and similar work.
- Medical use: how employees with prescriptions should raise it, handled confidentially and focused on fitness for work.
- Testing: only with legal advice, given privacy and consent rules including the PDPA.
- Consequences: clear, proportionate and in line with Thai labour law.
Communicate it
Many staff, especially foreign staff, still believe cannabis is fully legal in Thailand. Explain the current position in plain language. See is cannabis legal in Thailand right now.
This is a general guide, not employment advice. Take advice from a Thai employment lawyer before adopting a policy. Section 3 of the report, free to read, sets out the cannabis rules in force.
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
- Tilleke & Gibbins, Cannabis and Hemp Business Guide Thailand 2025
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
Can Thai employers ban cannabis at work?
Yes. Employers can set workplace rules, including on cannabis, as part of their work regulations, applied fairly and consistently.
Is using cannabis legal for employees in Thailand?
Cannabis flower is a controlled herb sold on prescription. Extracts above 0.2% THC are narcotics. Legal status outside work does not override workplace rules.
Can employers test for cannabis?
Testing raises privacy and consent questions under Thai law, including the PDPA. Take legal advice before introducing testing.
What about safety-critical roles?
Employers have safety duties. Rules for driving, machinery and other safety-critical work should address impairment from any substance.
Should medical use be treated differently?
A policy should consider employees with prescriptions, handled confidentially and focused on fitness for work.
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.