Cannabis-related crimes have surged to a new record, stoking public interest following a spate of high-profile arrests related to marijuana use.

A National Police Agency report released Feb. 19 said there were 3,832 pot-related cases involving 2,778 offenders in 2008, up 16.8 percent and 22.3 percent, respectively, compared with 2007 and an all-time high.

The NPA began tracking marijuana violations in 1956.

Figures showed 62.5 percent of the offenders are in their teens and 20s, indicating the drug's widespread popularity with young people.

Highly publicized cannabis-related cases involving sumo wrestlers, celebrities and college students have been dominating headlines. On Feb. 17, Shigeru Suzuki, guitarist for the legendary '70s rock band Happy End, was arrested for marijuana possession.