CBD vs THC: What They Are, How They Differ, and Is CBD Legal in Thailand? (2026)

Quick summary

• CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two key compounds in cannabis and hemp. THC is psychoactive and causes intoxication; CBD is not addictive and does not produce the same high.
• In Thai medicine, CBD-dominant extract is used for hard-to-treat epilepsy, while THC-containing extracts are add-on treatments for some conditions such as chemotherapy nausea. All of it is prescribed by doctors.
• Extracts with more than 0.2% THC by weight are Category 5 narcotics, and a ministerial regulation in force since 26 April 2026 limits their production, sale and possession to four purposes.
• CBD in food and cosmetics is allowed when made from Thai-grown raw material and approved by the Thai FDA; food has per-package caps on THC and CBD.
• Always check the Thai FDA number before buying, and be wary of unlabelled oils and edibles sold online.

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in plants of the Cannabis genus, both cannabis (marijuana) and hemp. The Department of Medical Services' guidance on medical cannabis (6th revision, 2024) names two main active compounds used in medicine: THC, which acts on the mind, and CBD, which it describes as not addictive.

The same guidance says CBD counteracts THC's intoxicating effect. The World Health Organization's Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) concluded that pure CBD showed no psychoactive properties and no potential for abuse or dependence, and recommended that pure CBD preparations not be placed under international control.

"Non-intoxicating" is not the same as "side-effect free". Both the Department of Medical Services and Ramathibodi Poison Center note that CBD can cause nausea and vomiting, and the poison centre also lists central nervous system depression.

Medical CBD in the Thai context usually means CBD-dominant cannabis extract oil. Department of Medical Services guidance says it should be prescribed by paediatric neurologists or doctors experienced in treating difficult epilepsy. For more on each type of cannabis oil, see Is medical cannabis oil legal in Thailand?

What is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)?

THC stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main compound in cannabis responsible for intoxication. The Department of Medical Services explains that cannabinoids act through CB1 receptors, which are abundant in the brain and involved in memory, mood, pain perception and movement, and CB2 receptors, found mainly in the immune system.

Medically, THC has pain-relieving and anti-nausea effects. But the guidance warns that sustained high-dose THC use can lead to tolerance, needing ever more of the drug, and eventually dependence.

Ramathibodi Poison Center summarises acute THC toxicity as including hallucinations, agitation, a fast heart rate, blood pressure that rises then falls, fainting and loss of coordination. Long-term use is associated with dependence, a higher risk of psychosis and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (severe recurrent vomiting). Edibles act slowly and last a long time, so people may take more while waiting and end up overdosing.

CBD vs THC: the key differences

The Department of Medical Services also notes that both THC and CBD are processed by liver CYP450 enzymes, so they can interact with other medicines. It lists contraindications for THC-containing products, including serious heart and blood vessel disease, a history of psychosis or mood disorders, and pregnancy or breastfeeding, and advises caution when prescribing THC to people under 25 because the brain is still developing.

Importantly, the guidance does not recommend cannabis products as first-line treatment, and says the evidence that cannabis treats cancer is insufficient. Patients who rely on cannabis instead of standard care risk missing effective treatment.

Is CBD legal in Thailand? Status as of October 2026

Thai law does not regulate "CBD" as a stand-alone substance. It regulates extracts, and how much THC they contain.

1. The 0.2% THC threshold. The Ministry of Public Health's 2022 announcement listing Category 5 narcotics (Royal Gazette, 9 February 2022) makes extracts from any part of cannabis or hemp Category 5 narcotics, except extracts with no more than 0.2% THC by weight extracted under licence from Thai-grown plants, and extracts from Thai-grown seeds, according to Thai Post. For the bigger picture, see the Thai cannabis law timeline.

2. Extract regulation in force 26 April 2026. Bangkok Biz News reports that the 2026 ministerial regulation on licensing the production, import, export, sale or possession of Category 5 narcotics limited to cannabis and hemp extracts was published in the Royal Gazette on 26 March 2026 and took effect 30 days later. Extracts above 0.2% THC may now be handled only for four purposes: state narcotics suppression, medicine, analysis or research, and industry. Producers must be non-foreign-owned juristic persons, government agencies or the Thai Red Cross, and licences under the older regulations remain valid until 31 December 2026.

3. CBD in food, cosmetics and herbal products. The Tilleke & Gibbins guide (November 2025) says Thai-made food and cosmetics may contain CBD extract if the raw material comes from Thai-grown plants and the maker holds a Thai FDA licence under the Food Act or Cosmetics Act. Herbal products must be licensed and registered under the Herbal Product Act. Importing food or cosmetics with hemp or cannabis ingredients, and importing any extract or oil, is prohibited. See hemp law in Thailand for more.

4. THC and CBD caps in food. InfoQuest reports that MOPH Notification No. 438 (2022), in force from 22 October 2022, caps general food at 1.6 mg THC and 1.41 mg CBD per package unit, with percentage-by-weight limits for seasonings. We could not confirm whether these figures have been amended since, and we found no verifiable CBD cap for cosmetics.

5. Draft Cannabis Control Act. Hfocus reports that the Cabinet approved the draft on 22 September 2026; it would restrict cannabis and extracts to treatment under professional supervision or research. The bill is not yet in force. See our overview of Thailand's cannabis law in 2026.

Please note: Thailand's cannabis and hemp rules change often. This article reflects the situation on 11 October 2026 and is general information, not medical or legal advice. Consult a doctor before any medical use, and a lawyer before starting a business.

How to read labels and check Thai FDA numbers

The Thai FDA Food Division says approved cannabis or hemp food products must carry:

• A food serial number (the "อย." number). Makers need a production site licence first, then a food serial number.
• The plant part or CBD extract used, stated in or beside the product name.
• THC content per package unit, plus advice not to consume more than two package units a day for products containing plant parts.
• Warnings, such as: not for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women; caution for people sensitive to THC or CBD; may cause drowsiness, so avoid driving; stop immediately if unusual symptoms occur.

An easy way to check a number is the @FDAthai LINE account: choose the product-number check menu and type the number exactly, with no spaces (InfoQuest). You can also check on the Thai FDA website and report suspicious products to the 1556 hotline (Thai PBS).

Beware of unregistered CBD products sold online

Many "CBD" oils, gummies and snacks on social media carry no Thai FDA number. The buyer has no way to know how much THC is in the bottle. If the extract contains more than 0.2% THC, it is a Category 5 narcotic, so unlicensed possession carries legal risk. Imported products with cannabis or hemp ingredients are not permitted in the first place.

Another red flag is any claim to cure disease. InfoQuest reports the Thai FDA's warning that misleading food advertising can bring up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 30,000 baht, and false claims for herbal products or cosmetics up to 1 year or a fine of up to 100,000 baht. The Food Division also requires hemp seed product labels to state that they do not prevent or treat disease.

If you need cannabis for treatment, the legal route is a doctor at a licensed facility. See how to use cannabis legally in Thailand.

Bottom line

CBD and THC come from the same plant but behave very differently. THC intoxicates and carries a risk of dependence; CBD does not intoxicate but can still cause side effects and drug interactions. Legally, what matters is the THC content of the extract and whether the product is Thai FDA-approved. A registered, fully labelled CBD product is a far safer choice than an unlabelled one bought online.

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