From Green Rush to Regulation: Assessing the Impact of Medical Cannabis Legalisation in Thailand

The legalisation of medical cannabis in Thailand has generated significant policy, health, and societal debates, yet the empirical understanding of its broader implications remains fragmented. Despite being the first Southeast Asian nation to take this historic step, Thailand continues to grapple with balancing potential health benefits against regulatory, social, and public health challenges. This review addresses the problem of limited synthesised knowledge by systematically examining the emerging research surrounding the impact of medical cannabis legalisation in Thailand. The aim of the study is to analyse how legalisation has influenced public health, regulatory frameworks, and societal outcomes, while also situating Thailand’s experience within the wider global discourse on drug policy reform. The study employed Scopus AI (data retrieved on 28 September 2025) to identify and synthesise relevant academic literature. Scopus AI outputs, namely Summary, Expanded Summary, and Concept Map, were utilised to map conceptual linkages, evaluate the breadth of research, and highlight thematic trajectories. This methodological approach ensured comprehensive coverage of interdisciplinary studies related to regulatory framework, research, public health, and societal implications. Findings reveal that legalisation has led to increased demand for medical cannabis, particularly among cancer patients, alongside improvements in quality of life for certain patient groups. However, it has also heightened public health risks, including cannabis toxicity and rising adolescent use, while exposing gaps in regulatory enforcement and healthcare literacy. Moreover, societal perceptions remain divided, with persistent reliance on unlicensed providers and limited professional knowledge among healthcare workers. The implications of this review are twofold. Theoretically, it enriches discourse on medical cannabis policy in developing contexts by linking health, law, and society. Practically, it highlights the urgent need for robust regulation, targeted health education, and evidence-based policymaking. The study concludes that legalisation must be paired with robust regulation, guided by interdisciplinary research, to shape Thailand’s cannabis trajectory and inform neighbouring reforms.