In an alarming revelation for 2023, Japan witnessed an unprecedented spike in cannabis-related offenses among its youth, marking the highest numbers since records commenced. The National Police Agency unveiled that a staggering 1,222 individuals under the age of 20 were apprehended for cannabis infractions, indicating a sharp 34% upsurge from the previous year. Notably, arrests surged around the age of 16, peaking at 20 before slightly declining.
Authorities link this surge to a burgeoning gap in awareness about cannabis’s hazards and its increasingly accessible acquisition. In tandem, law enforcement intensified its clampdown on narcotics and methamphetamine crimes, doubling drug-related arrests from the prior year to 113, with minors accounting for 106 of these methamphetamine-related detentions.
The year also saw cannabis-related police arrests hit a record 6,482, up by 21.3% from the preceding year, overshadowing methamphetamine for the first time since surveys began in 1958. Individuals in their 20s led this statistic, closely followed by the under-20 demographic, then those in their 30s.
The uptick in cannabis possession arrests, especially among the youth, echoes the global dialogue on marijuana legalization and the rising allure of CBD products in Japan. This trend, while indicative of a shifting societal view towards cannabis in Japan, starkly contrasts with the nation’s stringent drug control policies, presenting a critical conundrum that demands immediate resolution for the younger generation’s welfare.
Moreover, the recent years have seen an explosion in cases related to designer drugs—substances mimicking the effects of methamphetamine and cannabis. After peaking in 2015, there was a decline, only for the numbers to ascend once again in 2022, anticipated to reach 424 by the end of 2023, primarily triggered by a wave of synthetic cannabinoid outbreaks starting with HHC in 2022.
In a bid to curb this trend, the National Police Agency is doubling down on educational and awareness campaigns, particularly targeting high schoolers, to bolster their comprehension of cannabis risks.
The enactment of the revised Cannabis Control Act last year marked a significant shift, outlawing personal marijuana use which had hitherto remained unregulated, thereby intensifying the penalties for possession. This legislative adjustment underscores a rigorous stance against cannabis, aiming to stem the tide of rising usage among Japan’s youth.
It has been proven that severe penalties for use have not been successful in crackdowns on marijuana and have not led to a decrease in the number of users. This measure in Japan goes against the global trend, and we will continue to update information on how this policy will develop in Japan.
Reference: the Sun、The Japan Times、nippon.com
