Thailand Eases Weed Cultivation Rules

Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (Ministry of Public Health) has officially published a new regulation that significantly changes the country’s cannabis cultivation framework.

The announcement, signed on September 1, 2025, introduces greater flexibility for cannabis growers—allowing home cultivators to legally sell their harvests as long as products pass chemical safety testing and receive a Certificate of Analysis (CoA).

This effectively lifts the previous requirement that all growers comply strictly with GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices). Now, as long as cannabis flowers test clean and meet safety standards, they are legally recognized as compliant.

Key Points of the New Regulation
• Homegrown sales now legal – Small growers can cultivate anywhere, but before selling they must obtain a CoA from an accredited lab.
• Every crop requires testing – Even farms with advanced certifications must still pass CoA testing for each harvest.
• Expanded cultivation standards – Large-scale farms can now choose from a range of certifications beyond GACP, including:

1. GAP (Good Agricultural Practices for herbs)
2. National agricultural product standards (ACFS)
3. EU-GACP or EU-GMP
4. IMC-GACP
5. IFOAM Organic Certification
6. GLOBAL G.A.P. Organic Certification
7. PGS (Participatory Guarantee System for organic farming)

Dr. Thewan Thaneerut, Deputy Director-General of the department, told Channel Weez Thailand that small growers must still obtain a sales and processing license before distributing products, but they are not required to invest in expensive farm certifications—just the CoA.

Tougher Standards Behind the Opportunity

The regulation also sets out detailed residue testing requirements: more than 40 different substances will be screened in the CoA process. While the move reduces barriers for small farmers, experts warn that reliance on cheap fertilizers or poor cultivation methods could cause many homegrown crops to fail testing. Growers will need to improve cultivation practices to consistently meet medical-grade standards.

What About Personal Use?

For household growers cultivating for personal consumption only, nothing changes—they may continue growing cannabis at home without licenses or certifications, provided it is not sold.

Political Timing: Thailand’s First “Cannabis Prime Minister”

The announcement coincides with a major political shift. The People’s Party has pledged support for Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, to become Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister—and the country’s first openly pro-cannabis leader.

Bhumjaithai gained popularity through its cannabis policy, and industry insiders believe Anutin’s leadership could further relax restrictions and support the growth of Thailand’s cannabis sector. Entrepreneurs are already preparing to petition the new administration for adjustments to regulations they see as overly strict.