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Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Recently revised Japanese cannabis and narcotics laws went into effect on Thursday and could land violators in prison for up to seven years. A general concern about rising use of cannabis among Japanese youth spurred the nation's lawmakers to criminalize possession, cultivation or distribution of marijuana and cannabis products that contain the psychoactive ingredient THC.
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The new laws categorize cannabis and THC as narcotics and punishes violators with up to seven years in prison, while the old laws did not make it a criminal offense to use marijuana or products containing THC.
The new laws also legalize cannabis products used for medicinal purposes when those products are proven to be safe and effective at treating medical conditions.
Japan reported a record 6,703 cannabis-related offenses in 2023, which was more than cases related to methamphetamine violations.
It also was the first time Japan had more marijuana-related cases than those triggered by methamphetamine offenses.
Many attributed the rise in cannabis use among Japan's youth to a lack of penalties despite cannabis and THC being banned.
Because there were no criminal penalties, many people say that encouraged youth to use cannabis because there was no effective legal deterrence.
With the new penalties in effect, Japanese lawmakers seek to reverse the trend of rising cannabis use among the nation's youth.
The new laws also give Japanese law enforcement more tools to investigate cannabis offenses and prosecute people who test positive for THC in urine, hair or blood samples.
