In just a year, Thailand has experienced three power changes. The latest was the ouster of Paetongtarn Shinawatra over the handling of the border dispute with Cambodia by the daughter of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Anutin Charnvirakul – former Health Minister and architect of decriminalization of cannabis – was appointed as new country Prime Minister on 5 September 2025 for a 4-month transitional period. The opposition People’s Party supported his appointment, provided that the parliament would be dissolved in four months. New elections were then called.
Anutin’s appointment is seen by the Thai cannabis industry as a positive development. The sector has been facing severe restrictions for months.
Cannabis Industry is Under Pressure
Cannabis was made legal for medical uses in 2022. Up to 18,000 stores opened up across the nation. However, due to confusing regulations, some of these shops operated well beyond their medical mandate. Political leaders quickly acted to regulate the cannabis industry. Health Minister Somsak thepsuthin, introduced on 25 June 2025 a new law that classified cannabis flowers as controlled substances. Retailers had to only sell cannabis to those with doctor prescriptions and report their stock, origin and intended use.
A short-lived boom, in which cannabis for recreational use was available widely in touristic areas, ended. This provided jobs, brought in investment and relieved pressure on law enforcement. At its peak, the industry was projected to generate up to €1 billion in revenue, with significant foreign investment. However, since the reversal of policy, cannabis business owners have experienced severe uncertainty.
One of the Pioneers Returns to Power
Anutincharnvirakul was previously the deputy premier, health minister, and interior minister. He is conservative in his social views, but he’s one of Thailand’s leading advocates for cannabis decriminalisation. His arguments include the medicinal benefits and limited retail and private sales.
He has always linked the cannabis reform with broader social and economic goals. These include reducing overcrowding in prisons and stimulating growth at home. ‘Thailand would actually be the most suitable location in the world for growing high-quality cannabis,’ he has said (DW).
Anutin repeatedly reminded the lawmakers to be careful when approaching cannabis policy, despite their own votes for reform.
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The Industry’s Hopes of Relief
The tightening rules have included closing hundreds of marijuana shops, and stricter enforcement in the fight against illegal imports. Der Farang. Industry groups are seeing signs of more support following Anutin’s election.
Prasitchai nunual, secretary general of the Thai Cannabis Future Network says that with the new appointment, it is unlikely cannabis will be classified as a drug. ‘The tone of the authorities has already changed noticeably since his election victory,’ he said.
Operators from Bangkok’s tourist zones have also expressed optimism. Rattapon Sanrak, who runs the Highland Café on Khaosan Road, said the real issue is not further legislation but enforcement. He noted that many legal businesses have become illegal due to costs associated with complying stricter standards of cultivation and only prescribing prescriptions.
Limited Time Symbolism
Upon taking office, Anutin identified rising living costs, tensions on the Cambodian border and the threats posed by drug trafficking, human trafficking and fraud as his top priorities, warning that these issues ‘endanger the well-being of the nation’. He called on MPs to ‘put aside their differences and act in the interests of the people’, acknowledging that a minority government faces limits in parliament.
Analysts say he could be preparing himself for a long-term position. ThitinanPongsudhirak is a Chulalongkorn University professor who believes that Anutin may use his appointments to the Cabinet in important portfolios like finance, energy, and foreign affairs as a way to increase the influence of the Bhumjaithai Party beyond the period of transition.
However, his stance towards cannabis is clear. The day after his election, Anutin appeared at a meeting with incoming cabinet members wearing a shirt patterned with cannabis leaves — a symbolic gesture seen as reassurance to an industry under pressure.
The post Hope for Thailand: ‘Cannabis Champion’ Anutin Charnvirakul Becomes Prime Minister appeared first on MEDCAN24.
In just one year Thailand has experienced three power changes. The latest was the ouster of Paetongtarn Shinawatra over the handling of the border dispute with Cambodia by the daughter of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Anutin Charnvirakul – former Health Minister and architect of decriminalisation of cannabis – was appointed as new country Prime Minister on 5 September 2025 for a 4-month transitional period. The opposition People’s Party supported his appointment, provided that the parliament would be dissolved in four months. New elections were then called.
Anutin’s appointment is a positive development for Thailand’s marijuana industry. The cannabis business has been severely restricted in the last few months.
Cannabis Industry is Under Pressure
After June 2022 when cannabis became legal for medical use, 18,000 stores opened in the nation. Many of these shops operated far outside the medical scope due to the unclear regulations. Political leaders quickly moved in to regulate the cannabis industry. Health Minister Somsak thepsuthin, introduced on 25 June 2025 a new law reclassifying cannabis flowers as controlled substances. Retailers had to only sell cannabis to those with doctor prescriptions and report their stock, origin and intended use.
This brought an end to the boom that was short-lived, when recreational cannabis became widely available throughout tourist destinations, creating jobs and investment. At its peak, the industry was projected to generate up to €1 billion in revenue, with significant foreign investment. However, since the policy reverse, cannabis business owners have experienced severe insecurity.
One of the Pioneers Returns to Power
Anutin Chavnvirakul is the leader of Bhumjaithai Party. He has served previously as vice prime minister, minister for health and minister for interior. He is conservative in his social views, but he’s one of Thailand’s leading advocates for cannabis decriminalisation. His arguments include the medicinal benefits and limited retail and private sales.
He has always linked the cannabis reform with broader social and economic goals. These include reducing overcrowding in prisons and stimulating growth at home. ‘Thailand would actually be the most suitable location in the world for growing high-quality cannabis,’ he has said (DW).
Anutin repeatedly reminded the lawmakers to be careful when approaching cannabis policy, despite their own votes for reform.
Hope for Thailand: ‘Cannabis Champion’ Anutin Charnvirakul Becomes Prime Minister
Read More »
The first day of October 2025
No Comments
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Read More »
21 July 2025
No Comments
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Read More »
The 14th of January, 2025
No Comments
The Industry’s Hope for Relief
According to reports, the recent tightening has seen hundreds of cannabis stores closed and stricter enforcement of illegal exports. Der Farang. Industry groups are seeing signs of more support following Anutin’s election.
Prasitchai nunual, secretary general of the Thai Cannabis Future Network says that with the new appointment, it is unlikely cannabis will be classified as a drug. ‘The tone of the authorities has already changed noticeably since his election victory,’ he said.
Operators from Bangkok’s tourist zones have also expressed optimism. Rattapon Sanrak, who runs the Highland Café on Khaosan Road, said the real issue is not further legislation but enforcement. It was noted by Rattapon Sanrak that many businesses were forced into the illegality of cannabis cultivation due to cost and requirements.
Limit Time, Clear Symbolism
Upon taking office, Anutin identified rising living costs, tensions on the Cambodian border and the threats posed by drug trafficking, human trafficking and fraud as his top priorities, warning that these issues ‘endanger the well-being of the nation’. He called on MPs to ‘put aside their differences and act in the interests of the people’, acknowledging that a minority government faces limits in parliament.
Analysts say he could be positioning himself in a long-term position. Thitinan, professor of Chulalongkorn University argued Anutin will likely use his cabinet appointment in important portfolios like finance, energy, and foreign affairs, to extend Bhumjaithai Party influence beyond the interim period.
However, his stance towards cannabis is clear. The day after his election, Anutin appeared at a meeting with incoming cabinet members wearing a shirt patterned with cannabis leaves — a symbolic gesture seen as reassurance to an industry under pressure.
The post Hope for Thailand: ‘Cannabis Champion’ Anutin Charnvirakul Becomes Prime Minister appeared first on MEDCAN24.
Cannabis Law Resources for Poland
Discover essential legal information about the cultivation of cannabis, its sale, and regulations governing medical products in Poland. You can use these resources to learn about the requirements for certifications, permissions and compliance.
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Polish News Registration and Interests of Cannabis Businesses
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Permissions for Cannabis Sales in Poland
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Authorization for Importing or Manufacturing Medical Products
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Permission for Manufacturing or Importing Medical Products
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Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
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Registration of Medical Products in Poland