If you’ve been trying to figure out how to legally buy flower in Phuket this year, you’re not alone. With Thailand’s cannabis laws shifting again in 2025, even regulars are unsure what’s allowed. And if you’re a tourist? Even more confusing. It’s now ONLY Medical Marijuana in Phuket.
Here’s the thing: the rules aren’t the same everywhere in Thailand. Different provinces are interpreting the new law in their own way—and in Phuket, the health department met on July 7, 2025 to lay out exactly how medical cannabis sales should work. If you’re shopping, selling, or just visiting, this is the version that matters to you.
This guide is only based on the Phuket meeting—no rumors, no speculation, no nationwide generalizations. Just the real requirements you need to follow to stay compliant and stress-free.
By the end, you’ll know exactly:
- What’s legal for buying flower in Phuket
- What a dispensary needs to do to sell it
- How to get a valid prescription
- Where you can (and can’t) light up
Let’s clear up the confusion—starting with the biggest shift.
1. Medical Marijuana Only in Phuket (2025 Updates)
Phuket has now officially banned all recreational cannabis sales. As of July 2025, flower is only legal for medical use, and every transaction must reflect that.
Here’s what changed:
- Dispensaries must treat every sale as a medical transaction
- No one can legally sell flower without first checking a prescription
- No “walk-in and shop” system anymore—not even for locals or regulars
This isn’t just a Phuket thing either—Thailand as a whole is moving toward a more structured medical-only system, with some areas even requiring clinics inside the dispensary. But Phuket is not one of them. There’s no need to turn your shop into a clinic (yet). You just need to play by the prescription-only rule.
If you want to read more about this national shift, the Bangkok Post recently broke it down, but remember: this blog is Phuket-specific, and we’re working off confirmed facts from the July 7 meeting with the Phuket Health Department.
2. New Cannabis Law in Thailand Protocol: What Customers Must Do to Get Medical Cannabis in Phuket
Here’s where the real clarity begins. You can still shop flower in Phuket—but only with a valid, single-use doctor’s prescription.
How It Works:
- You must see a licensed Thai doctor in person
- The doctor writes a one-time-use prescription for the amount needed (typically 30–50g or based on the doctor’s assessment)
- The prescription is used once, and the dispensary keeps the original copy
- It gets logged through PorThor 28 (the official sales reporting system)
No script? No sale. It’s that simple. This is the most basic requirement for medical marijuana in Phuket.
Example Scenario:
Let’s say a doctor prescribes you 5g per day for 15 days, which totals 75g. You can buy up to that amount in one go—but:
- If you buy 10g of medical marijuana today, the remaining 65g is not valid later
- You’ll need to get a new prescription if you want to purchase again
Dispensaries in Phuket are required to retain the physical prescription copy, not just a photo or digital version. If an inspector visits and there’s no proof that the flower sold was tied to a valid prescription, the store risks losing its license.
3. Operational Requirements for Dispensaries in Phuket
If you’re running a shop, here’s what you do and don’t need to do in 2025:
✅ What You Don’t Need:
- You don’t need a doctor on-site
- Your shop doesn’t have to look like a clinic
- Your staff don’t need medical training (at least not for now)
🧾 What You Must Do:
- Check prescription at the point of sale
- Keep the original prescription (do not return it to the customer)
- Log every purchase in PorThor 28 (daily + monthly reports)
- No prescription = no sale—no exceptions
What About GACP?
- If your flower was reported under Section 27 before June 30, it’s okay to sell even if it’s not GACP-certified
- Once that stock runs out, you can only source GACP-certified flower
👉 Translation: You don’t need to overhaul your shop—but you do need to tighten your documentation, sourcing, and reporting. Think pharmacy standards for paperwork, not vibes.
4. What You Can’t Buy in Shops Anymore
If you’re used to grabbing a snack with your session—heads up.
🚫 These are officially banned in Phuket:
- Edibles (yes, including gummies, candies, and infused treats)
- Public smoking, including hotel rooms and vehicles
- Chat-based ordering (no Instagram DMs, no online checkout)
Even if you’re just “chatting” to reserve something online, the Phuket Health Department has flagged this as non-compliant.
Violating these rules could result in:
- Fines
- Business license suspension
- Criminal charges in some cases
Phuket is taking these enforcement details seriously. It’s not just optics—it’s your business on the line.
5. Smoking Is Strictly Private—Know Where It’s Legal
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the new law, so let’s spell it out.
✅ Legal Smoking Spots:
- Inside your private residence
- Possibly inside a long-term rental, if the landlord allows it
❌ Illegal Smoking Areas:
- Hotels and resorts
- Shared Airbnbs
- Vehicles
- Beaches, parks, or any public space
Even if you’re discreet, smoking in the wrong place can get you fined—or worse, evicted if you’re a tourist.
For a deeper dive on what counts as a legal place to light up, check out our full guide:
👉 Where Can You Smoke Weed in Phuket?
6. Why This is Phuket-Specific
A lot of confusion right now comes from people assuming the same laws apply everywhere in Thailand. But the truth is: cannabis rules are provincial.
Phuket’s new rules were confirmed at the July 7 meeting with the local Health Department, alongside dispensary owners. Other provinces—like Bangkok or Chiang Mai—may implement stricter rules, such as:
- On-site doctors
- Clinic-style setups
- Staff needing training as “folk doctors”
In Phuket:
- You only need a prescription (no clinic conversion)
- No training requirements for staff (as of now)
Still unsure? Always check with your local provincial health department before making assumptions. We built this blog based on verified updates from the Phuket Health Office only.
For a closer look at how Phuket is adapting post-legalization, read:
👉 Phuket Cannabis Law Update 2025
How to Buy Medical Marijuana Legally in Phuket
If you forget everything else, remember this:
LEGAL BUYING CHECKLIST:
☑️ See a licensed Thai doctor for a prescription
☑️ Make sure it’s single-use only (30–50g or less)
☑️ Present the prescription in person
☑️ Let the shop keep the original copy
☑️ Only shop from a licensed dispensary
☑️ No edibles
☑️ Only smoke in private spaces
Final Word About Medical Marijuana in Phuket
The new rules aren’t trying to shut things down—they’re formalizing a system that was always going to grow up eventually. If you follow the prescription rules, shop from a licensed dispensary, and keep it respectful, you’re still absolutely allowed to enjoy flower in Phuket.
This isn’t about fear—it’s about confidence and clarity. Knowing how to play by the rules means you can keep your chill without the stress.
Now you know how to buy legally. See you in the shop—with a script in hand.