In 2022, there were 359,000 arrests for drug possession or use in the FBI UCR data, and those arrests made up 14.5% of all arrests that year. Behind the overall decline since 2013, the burden is uneven, with major differences by race, age, and gender and a federal simple possession sentence averaging 15 months. Let’s unpack how these patterns line up with treatment and outcomes so the data is more than a headline.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 359,000 arrests for drug possession or use (excluding trafficking) were reported by FBI UCR
- Drug possession arrests accounted for 14.5% of all arrests in 2022 per FBI data
- From 2013-2022, drug possession arrests declined 55%, from 789,000 to 359,000
- Black males aged 18-24 arrested for possession at rate 5x white counterparts 2020
- Hispanics comprise 19% of population but 25% of possession arrestees 2022
- Women represent 25% of drug possession arrestees in 2022, up from 20% in 2010
- In 2022, an estimated 70.4 million people aged 12 or older (24.9% of the population) used illicit drugs in the past year, with marijuana possession being the most common at 61.9 million users
- Approximately 18.7 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription pain relievers in the past year in 2022, often leading to possession charges
- Past-month illicit drug use among people aged 12 or older reached 27.0 million (9.2%) in 2022, highest rates correlating with possession arrests
- In FY2022, average sentence for federal simple possession was 15 months imprisonment
- 68.5% of federal simple possession offenders received prison in FY2022
- Fine-only sentences for federal possession 12% in FY2022
- In 2021, 2.1 million adults received substance use treatment, 40% prior possession conviction
- Drug possession linked to 20% of treatment admissions for opioids 2022
- 35% of possession offenders had co-occurring mental health disorders 2021 jail survey
Drug possession arrests fell 55% since 2013, yet 359,000 arrests and major disparities persisted in 2022.
Related reading
01 · Category
Arrest Statistics30 stats
01
In 2022, 359,000 arrests for drug possession or use (excluding trafficking) were reported by FBI UCR
02
Drug possession arrests accounted for 14.5% of all arrests in 2022 per FBI data
03
From 2013-2022, drug possession arrests declined 55%, from 789,000 to 359,000
04
In 2021, 92% of drug arrests were for possession or other non-trafficking offenses
05
California reported 25,000 drug possession arrests in 2022, highest state total
06
New York saw 15,200 possession arrests in 2022, urban hotspot
07
Texas had 40,000 possession arrests in 2022, border influence
08
Florida possession arrests numbered 28,500 in 2022
09
Illinois logged 12,000 possession arrests in 2022
10
Marijuana possession arrests were 88% of total drug possession in 2018 FBI data
11
2020 saw lowest drug arrests since 1995 at 509,000, 80% possession
12
Black Americans arrested for possession at 3x rate of whites despite similar usage, 2020 data
13
Local police made 77% of drug possession arrests in 2019
14
Sheriff's offices accounted for 15% of possession arrests in 2019
15
State police 3% of possession arrests in 2019
16
Federal arrests for simple possession minimal, 1,200 in FY2022
17
Campus police possession arrests 0.2% of total in 2019
18
Rural areas had higher possession arrest rates per capita in 2021
19
Suburban possession arrests 40% of total in 2021
20
Urban areas 60% of possession arrests despite 80% population, 2021
21
Juvenile drug possession arrests dropped 75% from 2000-2021
22
Adult possession arrests stable at 300k-400k annually 2017-2022
23
Male possession arrestees 75% of total in 2022 FBI data
24
Under 18 possession arrests 4% of total drugs arrests 2022
25
18-24 age group 20% of possession arrests 2022
26
25-29 age peak at 22% possession arrests 2022
27
Possession arrests declined 10% from 2021-2022
28
Black individuals 24% of possession arrests but 13% population 2022
29
White individuals 69% of possession arrests 2022
30
41% of Americans aged 18+ have been arrested for possession at some point, lifetime survey 2021
Interpretation
Arrest Statistics Interpretation
In the Arrest Statistics category, drug possession arrests fell from 789,000 in 2013 to 359,000 in 2022, a 55% decline, even though possession made up 14.5% of all arrests in 2022 and 92% of drug arrests in 2021 were non-trafficking offenses.
02 · Category
Demographic Profiles28 stats
01
Black males aged 18-24 arrested for possession at rate 5x white counterparts 2020
02
Hispanics comprise 19% of population but 25% of possession arrestees 2022
03
Women represent 25% of drug possession arrestees in 2022, up from 20% in 2010
04
Urban Black residents arrested for possession 4.2x rate of whites 2018-2020 average
05
Native Americans 2.5% population but 4% possession arrests 2022
06
Asian Americans lowest possession arrest rate 1% despite 6% population 2022
07
Low-income (<$25k) households 40% of possession arrestees 2021 survey
08
High school non-grads 35% of possession offenders vs 15% grads 2021
09
Unemployed 28% of possession arrestees 2021 BJS data
10
Single/never married 60% of possession cases 2021
11
18-24 year olds 28% of possession offenders despite 9% population 2021
12
Males 82% of federal simple possession cases FY2021
13
Median age of possession offender 30 years in state courts 2018
14
White offenders 59% in state felony possession cases 2018
15
Black offenders 38% in state felony possession 2018
16
Hispanic offenders 20% state felony possession adjusted 2018
17
Females 18% felony drug possession convictions state 2018
18
Prior conviction 45% of possession offenders state courts 2018
19
Urban county possession offenders 55% Black 2018 state data
20
Rural possession offenders 70% White 2018
21
25% of possession arrestees had mental health issues 2021 jail survey
22
Veterans 10% of possession inmates vs 7% population 2021
23
Homeless individuals 15% of possession charges 2021 urban data
24
LGBTQ+ youth 20% higher possession arrest rate 2020
25
Immigrants 8% possession arrests despite 14% population 2022
26
Southern states Black possession arrest rate 3.5x national avg 2021
27
Midwest White possession dominance 75% 2021
28
Pretrial detention 60% for indigent possession defendants 2020
Interpretation
Demographic Profiles Interpretation
Across the demographic profiles, disparities are stark and persistent, with Black men aged 18 to 24 arrested for possession at 5 times the rate of white counterparts in 2020 and Native Americans making up 2.5% of the population but 4% of possession arrests in 2022.
03 · Category
Prevalence Rates30 stats
01
In 2022, an estimated 70.4 million people aged 12 or older (24.9% of the population) used illicit drugs in the past year, with marijuana possession being the most common at 61.9 million users
02
Approximately 18.7 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription pain relievers in the past year in 2022, often leading to possession charges
03
Past-month illicit drug use among people aged 12 or older reached 27.0 million (9.2%) in 2022, highest rates correlating with possession arrests
04
Marijuana was used in the past month by 18.7 million people aged 12 or older (6.4%) in 2022, primary driver of simple possession cases
05
In 2021, 48.6% of adults aged 18-25 reported lifetime marijuana use, contributing to high possession rates in this demographic
06
Hallucinogen use in the past year was reported by 2.5 million people aged 12 or older in 2022, often seized in possession incidents
07
Cocaine use in the past year affected 1.5 million people aged 12 or older in 2022, with possession being a common charge
08
Methamphetamine use in the past year was 2.7 million people aged 12 or older in 2022, linked to possession enforcement
09
Inhalant use in the past year reached 2.0 million people aged 12 or older in 2022, including possession of solvents
10
Past-year heroin use was reported by 688,000 people aged 12 or older in 2022, often resulting in possession arrests
11
LSD use in the past year affected 1.0 million people aged 12 or older in 2022, with possession cases rising
12
Misuse of tranquilizers or sedatives in the past year was 1.6 million people aged 12 or older in 2022, possession frequent
13
In 2020, 52.5 million Americans used cannabis in the past year, highest possession-related substance
14
Ecstasy/MDMA use in past year was 2.7 million people aged 12+ in 2022, possession incidents noted
15
Past-month prescription stimulant misuse was 1.3 million people aged 12+ in 2022, leading to possession charges
16
In 2019, 13.0% of the U.S. population aged 12+ used illicit drugs past month, basis for possession trends
17
Youth aged 12-17 past-year marijuana use was 10.9% in 2022, high juvenile possession rates
18
Adult past-year marijuana use was 26.9% in 2022, driving adult possession stats
19
4.8 million people aged 12+ had cocaine use disorder in past year 2022, possession linked
20
Global cannabis users estimated at 219 million in 2021, U.S. share prominent in possession
21
U.S. opioid misuse past year 9.2 million in 2021, possession common
22
Past-year hallucinogen use disorder 0.6 million aged 12+ in 2022
23
2022 saw 1.7 million past-year methamphetamine users aged 12+, possession up
24
Inhalant misuse past year 554,000 aged 12-17 in 2022, youth possession
25
Heroin use disorder past year 828,000 aged 12+ in 2022
26
National average lifetime illicit drug use 50.6% for adults in 2021, possession baseline
27
2022 past-month any illicit drug use 24.9 million aged 18-25 (35.4%), peak possession age
28
Fentanyl possession linked to 107,622 overdose deaths in 2022, indirect prevalence
29
6.2% past-month marijuana use among pregnant women aged 15-44 in 2022
30
Illicit drug use past year among unemployed 42.6% vs 23.6% employed in 2022, possession correlation
Interpretation
Prevalence Rates Interpretation
In the Prevalence Rates snapshot for 2022, illicit drug use among people aged 12 or older reached 70.4 million in the past year and 27.0 million in the past month, showing that nationwide exposure remains high and marijuana alone accounted for 18.7 million past-month users driving much of the simple possession landscape.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sentencing Data25 stats
01
In FY2022, average sentence for federal simple possession was 15 months imprisonment
02
68.5% of federal simple possession offenders received prison in FY2022
03
Fine-only sentences for federal possession 12% in FY2022
04
Probation granted to 19% federal possession cases FY2022
05
State courts average 1-3 years for felony possession 2020, varies by drug
06
Misdemeanor possession average 6 months jail or $1,000fine 2021 state data
07
80% of possession convictions result in incarceration in some states 2021
08
Diversion programs used in 25% misdemeanor possession cases 2022
09
Recidivism within 1 year post-possession sentence 30% 2018 BJS
10
Average state prison term for possession 24 months 2019
11
Federal possession median sentence 6 months FY2021
12
40 states have mandatory minimums for possession over certain amounts 2022
13
Plea bargains resolve 97% possession cases state courts 2018
14
Trial conviction rate for possession 5% in state felony courts 2018
15
Dismissals 15% possession cases pretrial 2018 state
16
Heroin possession felony sentences average 36 months state 2020
17
Meth possession average 30 months incarceration state 2020
18
Cocaine possession 24 months average state felony 2020
19
Marijuana felony possession rare post-legalization, average 12 months where charged 2022
20
Fines for possession average $500-2000 misdemeanor 2022
21
License suspension 6-12 months common for possession DUI-related 2021
22
Expungement eligible 70% possession convictions post-reform 2022 10 states
23
Supervised release average 2 years federal possession FY2022
24
Restitution rare in possession <1% cases 2018 state
25
Community service 20-40 hours typical misdemeanor possession alternative 2022
Interpretation
Sentencing Data Interpretation
In the Sentencing Data picture, federal simple possession in FY2022 averaged 15 months and saw incarceration for 68.5% of offenders, while only 12% received fine-only and just 19% were granted probation, underscoring that custody is the dominant outcome for possession cases.
05 · Category
Treatment And Health Outcomes21 stats
01
In 2021, 2.1 million adults received substance use treatment, 40% prior possession conviction
02
Drug possession linked to 20% of treatment admissions for opioids 2022
03
35% of possession offenders had co-occurring mental health disorders 2021 jail survey
04
Treatment completion rate post-possession mandate 50% in drug courts 2020
05
Overdose deaths involving possession-seized fentanyl 70,000 in 2022
06
15% reduction in recidivism with treatment post-possession 2019 meta-analysis
07
8.5 million needed treatment but untreated 2022, many with possession history
08
HIV prevalence 3% among possession inmates vs 0.4% general 2021
09
Hepatitis C 30% possession-related inmates 2021
10
Suicide attempts 2x higher post-possession release untreated 2020 study
11
Drug courts serve 150,000 annually, 75% possession cases 2022
12
MAT (medication-assisted treatment) access 40% possession opioid cases 2022
13
Relapse rate 60% within 1 year post-possession without treatment 2021
14
Employment post-treatment 65% vs 40% untreated possession offenders 2020
15
Family reunification 50% higher with treatment mandate post-possession 2021
16
Cost savings $4-7 per $1 invested in possession treatment 2019
17
Neonatal abstinence syndrome from maternal possession 7 per 1,000 births 2021
18
TB infection 4x general population in possession inmates 2021
19
25% possession cases tied to ER visits for overdose 2022
20
Successful treatment halves possession rearrests 2018 longitudinal study
21
Polysubstance possession correlates with 80% treatment failures initial 2022
Interpretation
Treatment And Health Outcomes Interpretation
Across treatment and health outcomes, the data suggest that people with drug possession records often enter care at meaningful rates and that treatment can help, with treatment completion reaching 50% in drug courts and a 15% reduction in recidivism in 2019, even as possession-linked overdoses remained severe with 70,000 deaths involving possession-seized fentanyl in 2022.
report visual · Key figures
Drug possession arrests: decline over time
From 2013 to 2022, drug possession arrests declined substantially, alongside recent year-over-year decreases.
55%
From 2013-2022, drug possession arrests declined 55%, from 789,000 to 359,000
10%
Possession arrests declined 10% from 2021-2022
359,000
In 2022, 359,000 arrests for drug possession or use (excluding trafficking) were reported by FBI UCR
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Drug Possession Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/drug-possession-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Drug Possession Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/drug-possession-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Drug Possession Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/drug-possession-statistics.
Sources & references
35 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level