Can foreigners own a cannabis business in Thailand?

Foreign ownership of cannabis businesses in Thailand: **Ownership restriction:** Cannabis businesses are subject to the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999). Foreign nationals cannot directly own or operate a cannabis business. **Legal structure required:** - Must operate through a Thai Limited Company with at least 51% Thai ownership - The Thai shareholders must be genuine — nominee arrangements are illegal - Minimum registered capital requirements apply **Licensing requirements:** - FDA license for cannabis operations (cultivation, processing, sales) - Specific licenses vary by activity: growing, extraction, retail, wholesale - All cannabis products must comply with THC limits (products must contain less than 0.2% THC by weight) - Labeling requirements: THC/CBD content, batch number, production date, warnings **Key restrictions:** - Advertising cannabis products is strictly prohibited - Sales to persons under 20 years old are prohibited - No sales to pregnant or breastfeeding women - Consumption in public places may be restricted by local ordinances - Export of cannabis requires separate permits and compliance with destination country laws **Penalties for violations:** - Operating without a license: fines and potential imprisonment - Selling products exceeding THC limits: criminal charges under narcotics law - Using nominees: criminal prosecution under the Foreign Business Act **Note:** Thailand's cannabis regulations are evolving. Always verify current requirements with the FDA before starting operations.