The State of Thailand’s Cannabis Market: Why Quality Matters More Than Ever
The cannabis industry in Thailand is evolving rapidly, but not all of that growth has been positive. While legalization has created new opportunities, it has also led to an oversaturated market flooded with subpar cannabis. From our experience testing flower samples for our own shop, a significant portion—a large majority, in fact—is either heavily treated with chemicals or simply lacking in the potency, flavor, and overall quality consumers deserve. It’s clear that much of what’s available is grown with profit as the primary motive, often at the expense of consumer health and experience.
The main issue stems from large-scale commercial growers—many backed by foreign investors—who prioritize yield and fast turnover over quality. To maximize profits, they often rely on plant growth regulators (PGRs) and other harmful chemicals to force larger, denser buds.
While this may make the flower look appealing at first glance, it strips the plant of its natural terpenes and cannabinoids, leading to a harsher, less enjoyable smoke. Worse yet, consuming cannabis grown with these chemicals can lead to headaches, respiratory issues, and other unwanted side effects. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of mass-produced, chemically treated cannabis has driven prices down, forcing high-quality, ethical growers to undercut their own pricing just to stay competitive.
The Future of Cannabis in Thailand: A Market in Flux
Thankfully, the Thai government is beginning to step in with stricter regulations aimed at improving quality control and enforcing cultivation standards. While the early days of legalization were marked by uncertainty, we’re now seeing efforts to crack down on substandard growers. That said, until these regulations fully take effect, it’s up to consumers to educate themselves and make informed decisions about what they’re buying and who they’re supporting.
One of the biggest mistakes consumers make is focusing solely on price. There’s a reason some flower is being sold for as little as 10-20 THB per gram—it’s typically mass-produced, improperly dried, or full of chemicals. In contrast, a fair price for properly cultivated outdoor or greenhouse-grown cannabis should be around 50-100 THB per gram at retail. This allows for clean, naturally grown flower that still maintains good potency and flavor, while remaining affordable. Meanwhile, properly cultivated indoor-grown top-shelf cannabis should generally cost between 150-200 THB per gram at retail—a fair price that allows artisan growers to maintain their operations while continuing to produce high-quality, chemical-free cannabis.
However, in tourist-heavy areas, prices can be significantly inflated, sometimes reaching as high as 600-700 THB per gram—far beyond what most locals would consider reasonable.
While premium cannabis requires proper genetics, organic nutrients, slow curing, and meticulous quality control—all of which contribute to its cost—paying well over 200 THB per gram is often more about location and demand than the actual quality of the product.
Supporting Artisan Growers: A Vote for Quality and Health
For those who truly care about their health and cannabis experience, supporting small-scale, ethical growers is crucial. Artisan cultivators focus on quality over quantity, ensuring their plants are grown without harmful chemicals, properly dried, and cured to preserve their full terpene and cannabinoid profiles. The difference is undeniable—not just in flavor and aroma, but also in the smoothness of the smoke and the overall effects.
When you buy high-quality cannabis, you’re not just paying for better buds—you’re investing in a sustainable future for Thailand’s cannabis industry. By choosing to support honest, small-scale growers, consumers help protect the integrity of the market, ensuring that clean, responsibly grown cannabis remains available. If the demand for quality outweighs the demand for cheap, mass-produced flower, the industry will be forced to shift in that direction.
At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. If you’re buying cheap, chemically treated cannabis, you’re not just getting an inferior product—you’re also putting your health at risk. But if you’re willing to spend a little more for properly cultivated, lab-tested, and artisan-grown cannabis, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Thailand’s cannabis market is still finding its footing, but as consumers, we have the power to shape its future by choosing quality over quantity.
