Update 23 Oct 2026: The comment period closed on 14 October 2026. The next step is for the sponsors to summarise the feedback before submitting the bill to the House.
Quick summary
- The draft Cannabis and Hemp Act B.E. ...., proposed by MP Pol Col Thawee Sodsong and colleagues, is open for public comment on Thailand's parliament website (Section 77 system) from 30 Sep to 14 Oct 2026.
- Core principle: cannabis and hemp used outside official, medical, patient-treatment, research or scientific purposes would be treated as narcotics under the Narcotics Code.
- On 7–8 Oct 2026, a network of doctors, academics and citizens against drug harm urged the public to comment in support of the bill.
- It is a separate bill from the Ministry of Public Health's cannabis control bill, approved by the cabinet on 22 Sep 2026 and now under Council of State review.
- Neither bill is law yet. Current rules stay in force.
What is this bill?
The parliament's public-hearing system under Section 77 of the Constitution has opened a consultation on the "Cannabis and Hemp Act B.E. ....", proposed by Pol Col Thawee Sodsong, a member of the House of Representatives, and colleagues. Comments are accepted from 30 September to 14 October 2026. The listing classifies it as a money bill; under the constitutional process, a money bill proposed by MPs needs the Prime Minister's endorsement before the House can consider it.
This hearing is an early step before parliament. It is not a vote, and it does not change what is legal today. For the current rules, see our Thailand cannabis law 2026 overview.
What the bill proposes
Based on the summary of principles on the parliament website:
- Scope: Cannabis and hemp used outside official, medical, patient-treatment, research or scientific purposes set by the Act would count as narcotics under the Narcotics Code.
- Responsible minister: The Minister of Public Health.
- Committee: A new Cannabis and Hemp Committee would propose policy and strategy, promote medical and scientific use, and approve ministerial regulations.
- Licensing: Production, import, export, sale and possession would all require a licence, with rules on applications, renewals and appeals.
- Advertising: Banned unless licensed; licences could be suspended or revoked for violations.
- Consumption: Measures to control consumption and prevent misuse.
- Penalties: Criminal penalties, with fine-only offences handled as administrative fines (phinai).
- Transitional rules: Pending applications under the old law would carry over, and licence fees would be set.
To compare with today's penalties, see cannabis penalties in Thailand.
Doctors' network calls for public support
On 7 October 2026, a network of doctors, academics and citizens against drug harm, with around 60 listed signatories including former senior drug-control and health officials, issued a statement urging people to comment in support of Thawee's bill before the hearing closes on 14 October. Hfocus and Matichon reported the statement on 8 October.
The network argues this is the only bill that truly limits cannabis to medical use, because it controls cultivation, sale, possession, consumption and smuggling abroad in a way similar to narcotics law.
How it differs from the cabinet bill
The Ministry of Public Health's cannabis control bill, approved by the cabinet on 22 September 2026 (see our report on the cabinet bill), also restricts use to medical purposes and licenses cultivation and sales. According to the doctors' network, the key differences are:
- Narcotic status: The cabinet bill does not return cannabis to narcotic status; Thawee's bill treats it as a narcotic when used outside permitted purposes.
- Possession: The network says the cabinet bill does not control possession, while Thawee's bill requires a licence to possess.
- Non-medical use: Under the cabinet bill, non-medical use is punished with fines rather than criminal penalties.
This comparison reflects the network's view. Final wording of either bill may change during Council of State and parliamentary review.
What happens next
After the hearing closes on 14 October 2026, the proposers must summarise the feedback before submitting the bill to the House, and as a money bill it will need the Prime Minister's endorsement. Meanwhile, the cabinet bill remains with the Council of State. Parliament may end up considering several cannabis bills together.
For the public and businesses, nothing changes today. Cannabis flower remains a controlled herb, purchases must follow medical conditions, and shops need a licence. Check a shop with our guide to verifying licensed cannabis shops, and follow every step on the Thai cannabis law timeline.
Anyone who wants to comment can use the Section 77 public-hearing system on the parliament website until 14 October 2026.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
