Even simple marijuana possession can bring up to five years in prison under Japan’s strict Cannabis Control Act. (Pixabay)
NAHA, Okinawa — A Japanese court on Thursday handed a suspended sentence to a U.S. civilian for smoking and possessing marijuana at his Okinawa home early this year.
Shiloh Witcher, 26, was given 14 months in prison with hard labor by Judge Mariko Oshima in Naha District Court. However, the sentence was suspended for three years, meaning Witcher will avoid prison if he commits no further offenses during that time.
Even simple marijuana possession can bring up to five years in prison under Japan’s strict Cannabis Control Act.
Witcher works as a food service foreman for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, AAFES spokeswoman Julie Mitchell said in an email Wednesday.
She was unable to comment on whether Witcher would face further consequences from the U.S. side or whether he would lose his status of forces agreement protections in Japan. The SOFA outlines the rights and responsibilities of individuals in Japan with the U.S. military.
Witcher was indicted Feb. 28 on charges of smoking and possessing 0.178 grams of marijuana Jan. 8 at his home in Ginowan city.
During the May 8 trial, prosecutors said Witcher, a former Marine stationed at Camp Foster from 2018 to 2022, began using marijuana in September 2022. He was working at a pizzeria at the time of his arrest.
Witcher purchased marijuana through the Telegram messaging app on the night of Jan. 7 and smoked it early the next morning, prosecutors said in court. He was arrested at 9:53 a.m. after police searched his home and found marijuana residue and drug paraphernalia, including a pipe.
A urine test also detected the presence of Delta-9, a psychoactive cannabinoid, prosecutors said in court.
Witcher told the court he used marijuana due to depression and said he feared being caught but that “addiction settled in where I began to throw caution to the wind.”
He acknowledged his workplace has a zero-tolerance drug policy and told the court he might lose his job and SOFA status. He promised not to use marijuana again if allowed to remain in Japan.
In issuing the suspended sentence, Oshima cited Witcher’s remorse, admission of guilt, lack of prior criminal record in Japan, and his stated intention to refrain from future drug use.
Suspended sentences for drug-related offenses involving U.S. military personnel are common in Japan. Earlier this month, a Marine spouse received a suspended two-year sentence for importing liquid cannabis through military mail.
