Now that the government has placed cannabis back within a medical framework, the clinic is one of the business models that can still dispense cannabis flower legally (alongside pharmacies and herbal-product shops under the Ministerial Regulation of 30 Apr 2026). The Minister of Public Health has also said that existing shops wishing to renew should convert into a healthcare facility with a resident doctor.
1. Choose a clinic type
| Type | Main practitioner | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Thai traditional medicine / applied Thai traditional medicine clinic | Thai traditional medicine / applied Thai traditional medicine practitioner | Existing shops that want to adapt; lower staffing costs |
| Medical (Western medicine) clinic | Medical doctor | Patients with chronic conditions; use alongside conventional treatment |
| Multidisciplinary clinic | Several professions working together | Medium to large businesses |
2. Obtain a healthcare facility licence
A clinic is a healthcare facility that does not admit overnight patients under the Healthcare Facilities Act B.E. 2541 (1998). It requires two licences:
- Licence to operate a healthcare facility business (in the name of the business operator)
- Licence to manage a healthcare facility (in the name of the licensed practitioner who acts as the facility manager)
Apply to the Department of Health Service Support (HSS / สบส.) in Bangkok, or to the Provincial Public Health Office in other provinces. The premises must meet standards for space, examination rooms and safety appropriate to the clinic type.
3. Apply for a controlled-herb (cannabis) sales licence
Once you are a licensed healthcare facility, apply for a licence to sell controlled herbs to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) in Bangkok, or to the Provincial Public Health Office in other provinces, under the Ministerial Regulation in force since 30 Apr 2026. That regulation requires staff trained by DTAM to be on duty at all times during opening hours, and an effective odour- and smoke-control system.
4. Prescription and record-keeping system
- Examine and take the patient's history before every prescription.
- Issue a ภ.ท.33 controlled-herb prescription form and dispense only the prescribed quantity, no more than a 30-day supply at a time.
- Keep medical records and logs of cannabis flower received and dispensed so they can be audited.
- Do not dispense to anyone under 20, pregnant women or breastfeeding women.
5. What to watch out for
- Do not advertise cannabis flower (banned under the Ministry of Public Health Announcement on Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) B.E. 2568 (2025); the draft Cannabis Control Act contains the same ban, and healthcare facility law already regulates advertising).
- The clinic must appear in the government's registered-premises verification system.
- Since 14 Mar 2026, police and provincial and district administration officials (Ministry of Interior) have been appointed as enforcement officers alongside public health officials, more than 200,000 in total.
This information is an overview for planning purposes. For the actual procedures, documents and fees, always follow the latest announcements from HSS and DTAM.
Related reading: How to Open a Cannabis Shop in Thailand (2026) · Thailand Cannabis Law 2026 summary
FAQ
Do I need to be a doctor to open a cannabis clinic in Thailand?
The business owner does not have to be a doctor, but the healthcare facility must have an operator and licensed practitioners appropriate to the clinic type, and cannabis must be prescribed by a practitioner designated by law.
Can a Thai traditional medicine clinic dispense cannabis?
Yes, provided it holds a valid healthcare facility licence and a controlled-herb sales licence, and dispenses against a ภ.ท.33 prescription issued by a licensed Thai traditional medicine practitioner.
Sources
- Hfocus — DTAM explains the Ministerial Regulation on the sale of controlled herbs B.E. 2569 (2026)
- Khaosod — Upgrading cannabis shops to healthcare facilities/clinics: applying to HSS and DTAM
- Hfocus — DTAM: requirements for sales licence applicants, B.E. 2569 (2026)
- Hfocus — Cabinet approves draft Cannabis Control Act
