Thailand’s Green Revolution: Cannabis, Local Communities, and the New Green Gold

Thailand became the first Southeast Asian nation to decriminalize cannabis in 2022, triggering a brief “green rush.” But since June 2025, the government has reversed course, reclassifying cannabis flowers as controlled herbs and restricting use mainly to medical purposes. Farmers now need official certification from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) to operate legally, creating a stricter, medical-only framework. In northern Thailand, Hmong and other ethnic minorities — long-time cultivators once linked to opium — are adapting their traditional knowledge to cannabis under these tighter rules. The sector blends small family farms and large-scale cultivations focused on organic quality and international standards. The government now bans recreational sales, advertising, and online or vending-machine distribution. Smoking cannabis in businesses is allowed only under medical supervision. Pioneers like KD, the “Ganja Godfather” of Ko Tao, who once championed legalization, must now comply with new licenses and restrictions. International players such as Royal Queen Seeds partner with local farmers to raise standards, emphasizing sustainability and compliance. Hemp’s traditional uses and global collaborations connect Thailand’s past with its regulated future. Experts see potential for Thailand to lead in organic production and medical research — but only if the government maintains clear laws and supports local communities within its strictly medical cannabis policy.

Published by Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Businessweek: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-07-14/thailand-restricts-cannabis-to-medical-use-in-2025-hitting-farmers