According to statistics on crime in England and Wales published in January 2017, there were 141,714 drug offences committed. Of these, 25,175 offences were for the trafficking of drugs and 116,539 offences were for possession. These both represent a small fall from previous years.

Cannabis warnings could be issued to adults from 2004, while khat warnings could be issued to adults from June 2014. According to the Ministry of Justice 2016 statistics there were 36,300 cannabis and khat warnings issued in the latest year, a decrease of 6,300 (15%) from the previous year.