Federal Marijuana Trafficking Cases Reach Record Low

LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Sentencing Commission’s 2024 Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics reveals a continued decline in federal marijuana trafficking cases. In 2024, fewer than 500 individuals were charged, marking a significant decrease from nearly 3,500 cases in 2015 and approximately 5,000 in 2013. ​

This downward trend aligns with the expansion of state-level cannabis legalization and evolving federal enforcement priorities. The data suggests that regulated state markets have reduced demand for illicit cannabis, leading to fewer federal prosecutions. ​

Additionally, federal agents intercepted a record low of 61,000 pounds of cannabis at the border in 2023, representing a 98% decline in seizure activity since 2013. ​

Despite these reductions, marijuana trafficking cases still accounted for approximately 2.6% of all federal drug cases in 2024. The average sentence for these offenses was 36 months, the lowest among major drug categories. ​