There’s no doubt that cannabis reform is taking off globally, along with the growing acceptance of cannabis. While regions in the West and beyond are easing restrictions on cannabis cultivation, use, possession and sales, there are still a number of countries where these activities carry harsh penalties.
A U.S. airman’s mother was reminded of these realities after she attempted to smuggle cannabis liquid into Japan by mail in August 2023, additionally being in possession of cannabis products when she visited her son in Okinawa the following month.
According to a Stars and Stripes report, Kasandra Michelle Stephens recently pled guilty to the Japanese court trying her for these crimes. She’s the mother of Sgt. Darius Omar Stephens, a military working dog handler stationed at Kadena Air Base. Last week, Stephens admitted in Naha District Court that she had violated Japan’s Cannabis Control Act and Customs Law.
Per her statement in court, Stephens told Judge Takashi Kato that her daughter-in-law, Elena Barriga-Stephens, asked her to send some “pens” to share with a Japanese coworker. Stephens proceeded to send a couple of packages to her son’s PO box at Kadena.
According to the court prosecution, Stephens sent a package on Aug. 9 with 2.88 grams of cannabis liquid, arriving at Tokyo International Airport on Aug. 16. After arriving at Kadena three days later, the package was intercepted by local customs officers.
Stephen admitted that she didn’t think about the Japanese law when she sent the package, believing only U.S. law would apply since she sent it from the United States to a U.S. military base.
Stephens was reportedly tearful during the two-and-a-half hour hearing on Jan. 18, admitting, “I’ve made a huge mistake; I am very sorry.”
Stephens also recounted a separate instance the following month, telling the court she had unintentionally brought cannabis liquid to Okinawa on Sept. 11 when she came to visit her son and daughter-in-law at their home in Kadena. Stephens was ultimately arrested Sept. 27, accused of possessing 1.594 grams of cannabis liquid, and was charged Nov. 8.
Stephens’ sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 2. While prosecutors have asked the court for two years in prison, Stephens’ attorney requested a suspended sentence.
Stephens affirmed in court, “I would like a suspended sentence,” adding that she had been in prison since Sept. 27 and had “definitely learned a valuable lesson.”
Stephens’ son and daughter-in-law were also not immune from their involvement in the incidents. Darius Omar Stephens and Elena Barriga-Stephens will both appear in district court Jan. 30 for smuggling charges after being charged Nov. 28, according to the prosecutor’s office. Barriga-Stephens was additionally charged with possession of cannabis.
Import of cannabis in Japan is subject to imprisonment of up to seven years, while possession is subject to imprisonment up to five years. Those sentences increase if import or possession is paired with the purpose of profit, along with potential fines. The other exceptions are when cannabis researchers receive proper authorization.
Japan recently saw some progress surrounding cannabis legislation after the country’s House of Councillors passed a revision on the Cannabis Control law in December 2023, lifting the ban on cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals and reclassified cannabis under the “narcotics” category.
This made it legal to use medicine derived from cannabis in Japan, once efficacy and safety are confirmed and approved by the pharmaceutical affairs bodies. Previously, pharmaceuticals derived from cannabis were only allowed to be used in clinical trials.
However, the revised law also introduced a prohibition on unauthorized cannabis use, as Japan previously previously did not criminalize “use” in part to protect farmers who may inadvertently adsorb plant compounds while growing it for use in hemp products.
