Dozens of Phuket Cannabis Dispensaries Lose or Suspend Licences in Enforcement Drive

Cannabis dispensaries across Phuket are facing tighter regulatory scrutiny after authorities revoked 35 licences and suspended another 112, according to figures presented at a recent provincial economic committee meeting.

The figures were discussed during the sixth meeting of the Joint Public-Private Sector Committee for Solving Economic Problems in Phuket for fiscal year 2026. The meeting was chaired by Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum at Phuket Provincial Hall late last week.

As of August 28, Phuket had 1,065 registered cannabis shops, down from the previously reported figure of 1,089.

The meeting documents also listed 11 shops as currently suspended and another 13 as having been notified of suspension orders. The available data did not specify whether these 24 businesses were already included in the overall figure of 112 suspended shops.

The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office said legal proceedings had also been launched against businesses suspected of violating cannabis and food regulations.

According to the health office, 17 shops were reported for alleged violations of Section 46 of the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act 1999. The provision covers commercial activities involving controlled herbs without the required licence. Another relevant provision, Section 52, requires businesses to stop licensed activities while their licence is suspended.

A further 23 cannabis shops were reported for alleged violations of Section 6(10) of the Food Act 1979, which concerns food-labelling requirements. Similar charges were recorded during a Phuket cannabis shop enforcement operation in July.

The inspections are part of a broader effort to increase oversight of the cannabis sector. Thailand's Ministry of Public Health strengthened the regulatory framework in 2026, including expanded inspection powers and tighter requirements aimed at limiting cannabis use to medical purposes.

The provincial health office has also directed members of the public to the Medical Cannabis GIS system operated by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. The platform allows users to check registered businesses and available licence information, providing a tool for public verification as well as regulatory monitoring.