## Everything You Need to Know to Stay Compliance in Thai Cannabis
Written by Cenk Cetin, Founder of Cannabox
Thailand's cannabis landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation as of June 27, 2025, shifting from decriminalized recreational use to a strict medical-only framework. This change introduces mandatory reporting requirements through four critical PorThor ภ.ท. forms that all cannabis business owners must understand and implement to remain compliant.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) now oversees cannabis regulations, requiring businesses to navigate documentation, certification processes, and prescription systems. With an estimated 16,000 cannabis flower shops facing potential closure as their licenses expire soon end of 2025, understanding these compliance requirements is essential for business survival.
[At the center of this transition are three essential documents known as PorTh...](https://md.cannabox.co.th/porthor-forms-thailand)
## The Backbone of Thai Cannabis Compliance: PorThor Forms
### PorThor ภ.ท.27: Monthly Purchase Declarations
[This form must be self-reported monthly by dispensaries to declare their purchases of cannabis from GACP-certified growers. It serves as the cornerstone of Thailand's cannabis traceability system.](https://gacpflowers.com)
Key Requirements:
Mandatory monthly submission to DTAM
Must show source of cannabis during DTAM inspections
Both dispensary and grower face punishment if form is missing or grower lacks GACP certification
Required for all cannabis export operations
Why It Matters:
[PorThor ภ.ท.27 verifies that all cannabis sold at dispensaries originates fro...](https://md.cannabox.co.th/media/thai-cannabis-law-docs-2025-July/porthor-27.pdf)
### PorThor ภ.ท.28: Monthly Usage and Distribution Reports
This form is submitted monthly by both dispensaries and growers to declare the usage and distribution of cannabis flowers. It covers sales to patients, donations, and any other form of flower disbursement.
Key Requirements:
Monthly reporting of all cannabis usage and distribution activity
Required for both retail and cultivation operations
Tracks cannabis flower allocations for traceability
Mandatory monthly submission to DTAM
Why It Matters:
[PorThor ภ.ท.28 creates a legal record of all cannabis movement from seed to sale. Without it, operators cannot prove how much product was sold, consumed, or donated—opening them up to serious legal risks, including allegations of illegal diversion or black market sales.](https://md.cannabox.co.th/media/thai-cannabis-law-docs-2025-July/porthor-28.pdf)
### PorThor ภ.ท.29: Processing and Transformation Reports
[PorThor ภ.ท.29 must be submitted by any licensed entity that transforms cannabis flowers into other forms—such as oils, edibles, extracts, or cosmetics.](https://md.cannabox.co.th/media/thai-cannabis-law-docs-2025-July/porthor-29.pdf)
Key Requirements:
Required for dispensaries, processors, and cultivators engaged in cannabis manufacturing
Monthly submission of processing date, method, input quantity, output form/volume, and purpose (e.g. sale or R&D)
Mandatory filing via DTAM's herbctrl portal
Why It Matters: This form ensures that every gram transformed is accounted for under DTAM’s national tracking system. Omission may lead to suspension under Section 52 of the Traditional Thai Medicine Act.
### PorThor ภ.ท.33: Medical Prescriptions
[This form is issued by medical practitioners and includes prescription details like diagnosis, dosage, and quantity. It is not generated by dispensaries and is valid only for one designated store.](https://md.cannabox.co.th)
Key Requirements:
Issued only by authorized medical professionals
Must include practitioner's license number and full patient details (ID/passport, age, diagnosis, dosage)
30-day supply limitation
Valid at one dispensary only
Prescription fees may be arranging from 100–600 baht during transition period
Dispensaries must keep the original, wet-signed copy of a prescription
[Effective July 1, 2025, this form is required for all legal cannabis purchases in Thailand.](https://cannabox.co.th/learn/guides/how-to-get-medical-cannabis-prescription-in-thailand)
Why It Matters:
[PorThor ภ.ท.33 is the legal foundation for medical cannabis access in Thailand. Without it, any cannabis sale is considered illegal. It establishes the medical necessity of cannabis use, ensures proper patient oversight, and provides regulators with traceable, physician-backed documentation. Holding the original signed copy is critical for dispensaries to prove compliance during inspections.](https://md.cannabox.co.th/media/thai-cannabis-law-docs-2025-July/porthor-33-cannabis-prescription-thailand-in-english.pdf)
## Compliance by Stakeholder Group
### For Dispensaries / Retailers
#### New Operating Requirements:
Sell cannabis only with valid PorThor 33 prescriptions
Employ licensed medical professionals on-site
File PorThor 27, 28, 29 and accept PorThor 33s monthly
#### Documentation:
Source only from GACP-certified growers
File monthly sales/inventory reports
Retain prescription copies for DTAM review
#### Restrictions:
No sales to under-20s, pregnant or breastfeeding women
Max 30g per patient/month
Penalties: Up to 1 year jail or 20,000 THB fine
### For Farms / Cultivators
#### Certification:
Must be GACP-certified by Thai FDA
One-month approval process including lab tests
#### Quality Standards:
Soil and water safety
THC testing and contamination monitoring
#### Reporting Obligations:
Submit PorThor 27 (sales) and 28 (usage) monthly
Maintain sales traceability logs
### For Medical Professionals
#### 7 Eligible Types of MDs Who Can Prescribe:
Medical doctors
Traditional Thai medicine doctors
Applied TTM practitioners
Dentists, pharmacists, Chinese med practitioners
Registered folk healers
#### PorThor 33 Rules:
Must log complete patient info, dosage, diagnosis, and license number
30-day validity
Only one dispensary per prescription
Approved Medical Uses: Chronic pain, spasms, cramps, joint pain, stiffness, cancer, nausea, Parkinson’s, seizures, asthma, insomnia, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, depression, appetite loss.
Professional Standards:
Fee range: 100–600 baht
Must respect patient privacy (HIPAA-like requirements)
Continuing education required
### For Patients / Consumers
#### Legal Requirements:
Must be 20+ and hold valid PorThor 33
Pregnant and breastfeeding women prohibited
One prescription per month, per dispensary
Must present prescription at point of sale
#### Restrictions:
No smoking in public areas
On-site smoking allowed only if clinic license and doctor are present
No explicit quantity limit, but usage tied to prescription
#### Penalties:
Potential 20,000 baht fine for unprescribed use
25,000 baht fine for public smoking
## Key Compliance Deadlines & Processes
### Monthly:
Submit PorThor 27, 28, and 29 by end of each month
File 'no activity' report if no sales were made
Reconcile inventory and logs
### License Renewals:
~12,000 dispensary licenses expire end of 2025
Sales/export licenses renew every 3 years
DTAM can reject renewals for past violations
### Prescription Management:
30-day validity
Monthly patient re-evaluation required
One clinic = one prescription = one dispensary
## How to Comply: Reporting Steps & Portal Access
### How to Register for the Portal
Unlike public systems, there is no self-registration. You must request credentials from the appropriate health office based on your license type.
For provincial licenses (issued by สำนักงานสาธารณสุขจังหวัด - PHO):
Contact your Provincial Public Health Office and ask for a “herbctrl cannabis reporting account.”
Provide:
Your license number
Business name
ID or passport of the license holder
Contact information
They will email you a username and password.
For centrally issued licenses (by DTAM in Nonthaburi):
Email or call the Department directly:
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: 02-591-7007 ext. 1124
Address: 88/23 Tiwanon Rd., Talat Khwan, Nonthaburi 11000
### How to Submit Monthly Reports
[Login at https://herbctrl.dtam.moph.go.th/report\_formLogin.php](https://herbctrl.dtam.moph.go.th/report_formLogin.php)
Select the correct form (PorThor 27, 28, or 29)
Fill out each section (or choose “ไม่มีรายการ” for zero activity)
Upload the signed file or complete the digital form
Submit and download your confirmation slip
#### Important Tips
Use the same login for all monthly forms
Keep copies of receipts and ID scans for sales—they may be audited
Submit between the 25th–31st of each month to avoid last-minute issues
Zero reports are still mandatory
Never falsify data—the penalties are severe
#### TLDR; Final Checklist
Submit PorThor 27 = Inventory record
Submit PorThor 28 = Sales or usage report (even if no sales)
Submit PorThor 29 = Processing info (if applicable)
[Do it monthly via Herbctrl](https://herbctrl.dtam.moph.go.th/report_formLogin.php)
Register first through your Provincial, Central office or Online
Stay compliant to avoid suspension or penalties
### Essential Resources and Contacts
#### Official Government Resources:
[Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) Website: www.dtam.moph.go.th Address: 88/23 Moo 4, Tiwanon Road, Talad Khwan, Muang, Nonthaburi 11000 Phone: (+66) 0-2591-7007](http://www.dtam.moph.go.th/)
Thai FDA Narcotics Control Division Email:
[email protected] Phone: +66 2590 7346
[Official Cannabis Updates Thai Government PR: thailand.prd.go.th](https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/page/item/index/id/10)
Form Access and Applications:
[GACP Certification Applications](https://cannabis-gacp-thaicam.dtam.moph.go.th/)
Submit through DTAM official channels
Required flower samples for laboratory testing
Processing time: approximately one month
## Professional Cannabis Prescription Services
Dispensaries must now transform into licensed medical facilities and employ or partner with authorized medical practitioners in order to legally issue and fulfill cannabis prescriptions under the new framework.
[Licensed clinic networks](https://md.cannabox.co.th)
Traditional medicine practitioners
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When should I submit PorThor reports?
Frequency: At least once per month
Deadline: Last calendar day of each month (e.g., July 31, 2025)
Optional: You may also submit daily reports via the online herbctrl portal if preferred
What if I didn’t sell anything this month?
You are still required to submit PorThor 28. To do so:
Fill in your license and business information
Leave the transaction table blank
Clearly write or tick: ☑ ไม่มีรายการจำหน่ายในเดือนนี้ (No sales this month)
Sign and submit as usual
Important: Skipping a monthly report—even with no activity—is a violation of Section 52 of the Traditional Thai Medicine Act and may lead to a 90-day license suspension.
## Conclusion
Thailand's transition to medical-only cannabis requires immediate and comprehensive compliance with PorThor documentation requirements. The transformation of 16,000 existing dispensaries into medical facilities represents the most significant regulatory shift in Thailand's cannabis history.
[Business owners must prioritize obtaining GACP certification, implementing proper PorThor reporting systems, and ensuring prescription-only sales models. With penalties including business closure and criminal prosecution for non-compliance, the cost of regulatory violations far exceeds the investment in proper compliance infrastructure.](https://cannabox.co.th/learn/news/thai-good-agricultural-and-collection-practices-thai-gacp)
Success in Thailand's new cannabis environment requires proactive legal guidance, continuous regulatory monitoring, and strict adherence to all DTAM requirements. The businesses that adapt quickly to these medical-focused regulations will be positioned to thrive in Thailand's evolving cannabis marketplace.
In short to survive and thrive:
Buy and sell GACP certified flowers
Submit PorThor 27, 28, and 29 every month although you didn't sell anything
Don't sell or buy without PorThor 33 prescription
Transition into clinic-integrated operations (if you can)
The businesses that adapt first will be the ones positioned to lead Thailand’s next chapter in legal cannabis.