Japanese Cannabis Patients Are Younger and Less Severe Than Methamphetamine Patients but Underserved by Support

Cannabis patients (n=82) were younger than methamphetamine patients (n=208), had fewer drug-related criminal offences, less incarceration history, fewer comorbid psychiatric disorders, and less severe substance use disorder. However, they had less experience with self-help groups or recovery support facilities. Use of nonmedical resources was more strongly associated with older age and disorder severity than with substance type.

Data from the 2024 Nationwide Survey on Drug-Related Mental Disorders in Japanese Psychiatric Hospitals. Compared 208 male methamphetamine cases and 82 male cannabis cases on clinical variables. Logistic regression examined factors associated with use of self-help groups and recovery support.

Japan is seeing increasing numbers of young cannabis-related arrests and treatment-seekers. Current recovery support resources may be designed around the profile of older, more severe methamphetamine users and may not meet the needs of this younger, less severe cannabis population.

As Japan considers cannabis policy reform, understanding the clinical profile of cannabis patients relative to other drug users is essential for designing appropriate treatment services. The current system appears oriented toward older, more severe users.

Male patients only from psychiatric hospital settings. Japan's strict drug policy context limits generalizability. Cross-sectional design cannot determine trajectories. Cannabis group is relatively small (n=82).