DTAM’s Cannabis Prescription Trial Launches in Thailand — But Critical Questions Remain

July 9, 2025

On July 9, the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) launched its first test of the national “Cannabis Prescription” system, a move positioned as a key step toward regulating cannabis under medical oversight. With 50 patients participating in the test, and new prescription forms officially introduced, the announcement signals a transition from informal cannabis sales toward stricter medical gatekeeping.

But as the Ministry pushes forward with policy enforcement, major gaps and contradictions in the rollout plan continue to surface, especially for the country’s 18,000 dispensaries currently operating without clinic licenses or on-site doctors.

Key Takeaways from the Announcement:

• DTAM officially launched the “Cannabis Prescription” system on July 9, with 50 patients participating in the test phase.
• A new “PorThor33” prescription form has been introduced for use by DTAM-trained doctors.
• Only doctors trained by DTAM will be allowed to prescribe cannabis starting July 16, the first group of 1,000 doctors will be available by then.
• Retail cannabis shops are expected to evolve into “healthcare facilities” with a doctor on-site, but no timeline or enforcement mechanism has been clearly defined.
• DTAM insists the 18,000 cannabis shops will “not be negatively affected,” without clarifying how most will comply under the new requirements.
• A national telemedicine system is “in development,” but no technical details, rollout dates, or integration plans were shared.

Mixed Messages and Legal Grey Zones

Thanakrit Jit-areerat, speaking for the Ministry of Public Health, framed the changes as a response to growing public concern: cannabis-related complaints have increased tenfold since decriminalization, affecting around 1.5 million people. Officials now hope to reframe cannabis as a “controlled herbal medicine”, accessible only with a prescription from a qualified professional.

But the messaging quickly becomes contradictory. On one hand, retail outlets are being told they must eventually operate under clinical conditions. On the other, the Ministry reassures the public that existing cannabis businesses will continue to operate unaffected.

That leaves a critical question hanging: How can thousands of small shops survive if the rules require a trained medical practitioner on-site?

The Gaps in DTAM’s Strategy

Several inconsistencies remain unresolved:

• No plan has been provided for how dispensaries without clinic licenses can remain compliant.
• There is no published list or public directory of approved doctors able to issue the new prescriptions.
• Enforcement details are missing — it’s unclear who will check for compliance or when penalties will begin.
• The transition plan is vague, especially for consumers who may not know where or how to get a valid prescription.
• The IT system DTAM is building has no launch date, yet is essential to tracking prescriptions and legal supply chains.

What’s Left Unsaid

Crucially, the Ministry’s announcement does not acknowledge the reality on the ground. Since 2022, Thailand’s cannabis ecosystem has included not just large dispensaries, but also small-scale growers, wellness entrepreneurs, and community-based operators. Many of these actors have invested in compliance and safety, without official status as clinics.

There’s no indication yet whether these businesses will be integrated into the system, or left behind by a regulatory model that favors larger, medically affiliated players.

A Two-Tier Model May Be the Real Plan

Based on what was said — and what wasn’t — the only logical explanation is that DTAM plans to allow two tiers of cannabis access:

1. Clinic Model
   • Healthcare facility with a DTAM-trained doctor on-site
   • Issues prescriptions and dispenses product in the same location
2. Dispensing Point Model
   • Traditional dispensary without clinic license
   • Fulfills prescriptions issued externally by DTAM-trained doctors (via telemedicine or offsite clinics)

While DTAM hasn’t formally announced this structure, the pieces strongly suggest it’s already in motion. This is likely how the claim that “18,000 shops won’t be affected” can remain technically true — at least in the short term.

Conclusion

DTAM’s prescription system is an important step toward medical regulation — but the lack of transparency, clarity, and readiness raises concerns. Without clear communication, public directories, or a functioning IT backbone, this rollout risks creating more confusion than control.

Whether this new phase of cannabis regulation improves access, restricts it, or simply creates new bureaucratic hurdles will depend on how DTAM executes in the coming weeks — and whether it listens to the realities faced by the people on the ground.