At 10 a.m. on a sticky Bangkok morning, the lights flicker on at Siam Green. The scent inside the lounge is a mix of citrusy buds and antiseptic alcohol—two worlds colliding in Thailand’s new medical-only era. A doctor in a crisp white coat sits at a small desk, prescription pad at the ready. Just a year ago, this corner displayed glass bongs and rolling trays. Now, a blood pressure cuff and thermometer dominate the space.
Before opening the doors, the staff gather for a quick huddle. They run through Standard Operating Procedures like a well-drilled team. ID checks, prescription verification, consultation flow—all must run smoothly.
Budtenders, once the freewheeling guides of Thailand’s green rush, are now guardians of paperwork. “Fear at the moment is quite high,” says co-founder Gaurav Sehgal, recalling the shock that rippled through the industry after June 23, 2025, when Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health officially reclassified cannabis flowers as a controlled herb (prescription only) via a Royal Gazette announcement.
The irony is clear. While doctors must technically oversee sales, many have little practical knowledge of cannabis. This morning, a young budtender named Gib patiently explains terpenes to the in-house physician. “Indica and Sativa aren’t a true indication of sleepy or energetic effects,” she tells him. Sehgal chuckles: “Our budtenders are training the doctors.” The shift feels surreal, but necessary. Compliance has become the difference between survival and closure.
Banana Kush and Paper Souvenirs
By midday, the lounge has softened into a café-like rhythm. Soft hip-hop hums under the air conditioning as the first wave of tourists trickles in. Two backpackers from Europe approach the counter, excited by names like Laughing Buddha and Grape Stank. Their smiles falter when a clipboard slides across the counter. “You’ll need a prescription first,” the budtender …
Read More
Author: Sam Chattlani / High Times
