Japan Cannabis Arrests Hit Record 6,832 in 2025: Youth & SNS Driving Surge

According to Japan's National Police Agency, 6,832 people were arrested for cannabis-related offenses in 2025 — the highest number ever recorded and an increase of 754 from the previous year's 6,078. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the record has been broken.

Cannabis arrests in Japan had historically ranged between 1,000 and 2,000 per year. Since the early 2020s, however, the figure has more than tripled in just a few years, driven by cannabis's growing penetration among young people and the expanding role of social media as a procurement channel.

The most striking finding is that over 70% of those arrested were aged 29 or younger.

Particularly alarming is the breakdown among minors:

The fact that 28 middle school students and 315 high school students were arrested shows that cannabis has penetrated Japan's school environment. Common entry points include being offered cannabis by friends or upperclassmen, and learning through social media that it is easy to obtain.

A defining characteristic of recent cannabis transactions is the surge in social media–based buying and selling. On X (formerly Twitter), dealers and buyers avoid direct references to cannabis by using coded language.

Dealers typically post messages such as "hand-push available" or "vegetables in stock," then move to direct messages to arrange details. The anonymity of social media lowers the psychological barrier compared to in-person deals, making cannabis accessible even to minors.

Transactions are also becoming more sophisticated — payment via cryptocurrency and drop-offs at convenience store parcel lockers are increasingly common. However, police cyber patrols have intensified, and arrests triggered by coded social media posts are rising rapidly.

On December 12, 2023, Japan's revised Cannabis Control Act (formally: the Act Partially Amending the Act on Regulation of Cannabis Cultivation and the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act) took effect.

Under the previous Cannabis Control Act, possession, cultivation, transfer, and import/export of cannabis were criminal offenses, but use (such as smoking) was not. This exemption originated from a historical consideration for hemp farmers who might inadvertently inhale trace amounts of THC during cultivation.

In recent years, however, the absence of a "use" offense had led to the spread of a dangerous misconception — "if you only use it, it's legal." This prompted the legal reform.

1. Cannabis reclassified as a "narcotic" — THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) was added to the list of controlled substances under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act.
2. New "use" offense — Using cannabis is now a crime punishable by up to 7 years' imprisonment.
3. Medical cannabis partially permitted — Cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals containing THC may be used under a doctor's prescription.

This means that "just smoking it" or "just trying it" can now result in arrest and prosecution.

The following table summarizes current penalties for cannabis offenses under the post-2023 reform.

Although cannabis penalties are lighter than those for methamphetamine, they are still serious felonies that can result in actual imprisonment. Even first-time offenders may receive a prison sentence — cannabis is by no means a "minor" crime.

The typical process following a cannabis arrest in Japan is outlined below.

Police arrest the suspect and must transfer them to the prosecutor within 48 hours. The prosecutor then has 24 hours to either request detention from a judge or release the suspect.

If the judge grants detention, the suspect is held for an initial 10 days, extendable to a maximum of 20 days. Combined with the arrest period, this means up to 23 days in custody with restricted outside contact.

The prosecutor decides whether to indict (bring to trial) or decline prosecution. Cannabis cases have a relatively high indictment rate, and even small quantities tend to result in prosecution.

If indicted, the case proceeds to criminal trial. Typical outcomes:

Arrest and up to 23 days of isolation from society produces immediate consequences:

• Inability to attend work or school
• Possible identification in media reports
• Social fallout for family and associates
• No access to mobile phone or social media

One of the most common misconceptions about cannabis is that "it's legal in other countries, so it must be safe." This reasoning is flawed in several critical ways.

Fact: Only a handful of countries have fully legalized recreational cannabis — Canada, Uruguay, and Germany among them. In the United States, cannabis remains illegal under federal law; legalization has occurred only at the state level. Globally, cannabis is illegal in the vast majority of jurisdictions.

Fact: The WHO has acknowledged the health risks of cannabis. The following risks are scientifically established:

• Addiction — Approximately 9% of users develop dependency (rising to ~17% among young users)
• Mental illness — 2–4x increased risk of schizophrenia
• Cognitive impairment — Use before age 25 can cause irreversible cognitive damage during brain development
• Academic and work performance — Reduced concentration and memory

Fact: Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act may apply to acts committed by Japanese nationals outside Japan under the extraterritorial jurisdiction provision. Even if cannabis is legal in the country where it is consumed, the user may face investigation upon returning to Japan.

A conviction in a cannabis case results in a criminal record that lasts for life and affects numerous aspects of a person's future.

• Obligation to disclose on the "awards and penalties" section of resumes (false statements constitute misrepresentation)
• Disqualification from civil service examinations
• Revocation or disqualification from national licenses: physician, nurse, attorney, teacher, and others
• Valid grounds for job offer rescission or dismissal at private companies
• Statutory disqualification from security guard, financial industry, and other regulated occupations

• United States — ESTA applications ask about drug arrest history; false statements result in entry bans. Drug convictions significantly increase the likelihood of visa denial.
• Canada — Drug convictions may result in entry refusal.
• Australia — Sentences of 12 months or more can result in visa denial.
• Studying abroad and working-holiday visas are also jeopardized.

• Potential impact on loan and rental applications
• May be used as an adverse factor in marriage or divorce proceedings
• Negative weight in child custody determinations
• Voting rights are retained, but eligibility to run for office may be restricted for a period

The 6,832 cannabis-related arrests in 2025 underscore the rapid spread of cannabis use in Japanese society.

• Arrests reached an all-time high of 6,832 (up 754 year-on-year, the fifth consecutive record)
• Over 70% were aged 29 or younger, including 28 middle school and 315 high school students
• Social media–based transactions using coded language are a rapidly growing procurement channel
• The December 2023 legal reform created a "use" offense — "just smoking it" is now a crime
• Arrest means up to 23 days in custody, and conviction creates a permanent criminal record
• A criminal record has serious consequences for employment, professional licenses, and international travel
• "It's legal overseas" and "it's harmless" are claims unsupported by scientific evidence

A casual "just once" or "just to try" can lead to irreversible consequences. If you are facing a cannabis-related legal issue, or if a family member has been arrested, consult a criminal defense attorney immediately. The initial response in the hours following arrest has a decisive impact on the outcome of the case.