TOKYO (TR) – A man and a woman have been arrested and indicted for using marijuana in the capital. The case is the first time that Tokyo Metropolitan Police have made such an arrest since the enactment of new legislation last year, reports TBS News (Mar. 31).
In February, Tsuyoshi Takahashi, 44, and the unnamed woman were arrested for using marijuana.
During questioning on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act, both suspects admitted to the allegations, police said.
According to investigators, the two were questioned on a street in Taito Ward. During the inquiry, marijuana was found in their car. The results of urine tests given to both defendants gave positive results, police said.
Change in legislation
In December, revisions to the Marijuana Control Law and the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law that criminalize the use of marijuana went into effect. Penalties of up to seven years in prison can be given to violators.
Before December, the Cannabis Control Law only prohibited the possession and sale of marijuana without any penalty for its use. Under the revised legislation, marijuana and THC — its psychoactive component — are classified as narcotics under the Narcotics Control Law.
In 2023, there was a record 6,703 cases of marijuana-related offenses nationwide. The figure surpassed that for kakuseizai (methamphetamine) for the first time.
Criminalizing the use of marijuana makes it easier for law enforcement to crack down on marijuana-related offenses. In addition to those possessing marijuana, others who test positive can face indictment.
