Thailand’s New Cannabis Prescription Rules: No Symptom List, More Questions Than Answers

Let’s be real. Thailand’s relationship with cannabis is starting to feel like a rollercoaster. One day it’s the first country in Asia to decriminalise the plant. The next, new rules are flying in every direction. If you’ve been following the headlines lately, you probably saw something about prescription forms, a sudden ban on recreational use, and a whole lot of public confusion.

So what’s actually happening? And why does it feel like things just got murkier, not clearer?

Here’s the update: Thailand’s new PorThor 33 prescription form has been approved. But instead of settling the dust, it’s stirred up a fresh batch of questions especially around who can prescribe, what conditions count, and whether patients are about to be stuck in limbo.

Let’s break it down.

An infographic published by the Thai Government’s Public Relations Department

What’s Missing? The Symptom List, for Starters

Previously, the government had a list of 15 symptoms that qualified someone for a cannabis prescription. Things like nausea, chronic pain, appetite loss are common stuff.

That list? Gone.

The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine scrapped it following concerns from different medical groups. The issue was authority. Each professional group wanted the freedom to interpret symptoms under their own guidelines.

It might sound fair. But for patients, it means less clarity. Instead of a clear path to treatment, they’re left guessing whether their symptoms will be accepted by their practitioner’s framework. Flexibility is nice, but not when it leads to gatekeeping.

Who’s Allowed to Prescribe? Not as Many as You’d Think

Reporters reported that information from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine revealed that there are 192,559 professionals who have the right to issue prescriptions for controlled cannabis herbs in 7 professions, consisting of

• 81,269 doctors,

• 18,000 dentists,

• 51,097 pharmacists,

• 35,872 Thai traditional medicine doctors,

• 4,891 Thai traditional medicine doctors,

• 2,194 Chinese traditional medicine doctors, and

• 1,430 folk doctors (in the field of herbal medicine).

But here’s the snag. Only two groups currently have official guidelines in place, medical doctors and Thai traditional doctors. That means while more professions are technically recognised, they can’t write scripts just yet.

And when it comes to what they can prescribe for? It depends. Doctors can treat epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea, neuropathic pain, and muscle spasticity. Thai traditional doctors can prescribe for a broader range of symptoms like loss of appetite, headache, and generalised pain, especially when tied to cancer.

PorThor What? A Quick Guide to the Paperwork

If you’re a patient or business owner, there’s a decent chance you’ve heard of at least one of these forms:

• PorThor 27 reports where the cannabis buds are sourced from

• PorThor 28 tracks monthly sales by shops

• PorThor 33 is the new prescription form

PorThor 33 is the big one. It records the prescriber’s license number, full patient details (name, ID number, age, diagnosis), and the prescribed dosage. Each prescription is limited to a 30-day supply.

This form is expected to be published in the Royal Gazette soon, which means it’s nearly ready for nationwide use though it’s still a work-in-progress for many.

An excerpt of the PorThor 33thailnd cannabis form

The Price of Access

There’s also been growing frustration around how much clinics are charging to issue prescriptions. By law, there shouldn’t be any cost. At most, a small processing fee between 50 to 100 baht is acceptable.

So when patients started reporting charges of 500 baht or more, people got angry. The department called it unethical. And really, it speaks to something deeper a growing trust gap between patients and parts of the medical system.

Laws in Motion

It’s worth noting that all of this is unfolding while the larger legal framework is still being revised. The June 26 order banning recreational use triggered panic. Then came a 60 to 90-day delay on all new regulations. And now, this sudden announcement about PorThor 33.

The final version of the law is still up for public feedback until July 12. After that, it’ll head to the Thai Traditional Medicine Promotion Committee and eventually the Cabinet.

Translation? It’s going to be a while before everything settles into place.

Why Should You Care? Even if You’re Not in Thailand

Because this moment isn’t just about one country. It’s a case study in what happens when a country moves fast on legalisation, but slow on infrastructure.

What started as an open door to access is now being pushed back toward tighter control. Patients are feeling the pinch. Businesses are unsure how to stay compliant. And those watching from overseas? They’re seeing how fragile progress can be without clear policy.

Where OnTracka Fits In

At OnTracka, we keep track of more than symptoms. We track systems. We follow how policy changes affect real people, in real time.

Thailand’s latest pivot is a reminder that legalisation doesn’t equal simplicity. But it also proves something powerful, patients still matter in this story. So do their experiences. So does clarity, compassion, and safe access.

Want to stay ahead of changes like these? Use the OnTracka app to track your journey, your symptoms, and your support wherever you are.

OnTracka: Your Health, In Your Hands