decriminalise
Make legally permissible
Decriminalise means to remove criminal penalties from an activity without necessarily making it fully legal.
Decriminalised acts may still be regulated or carry civil fines, but no longer result in arrest or prosecution: Portugal decriminalised drug possession in 2001.
The term appears most often in debates about drugs, sex work, and minor offenses.
Also spelled decriminalize.
Make officially permitted
- depenalizeRemove legal consequences from
- expungeDelete entirely, officially
- permitOfficial written authorization
- authorizeGrant formal permission
sanction · lawful · licit · regulate · statute · possession · cannabis · marijuana
Grant freedom to
- freeWithout payment or restriction
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- exonerateClear of wrongdoing
absolve · release · discharge · unburden · stigma · rehabilitation · reintegration · second chance
Official enactment of statutes
- amendmentChange to official text
- billAmount owed, written
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- policyAdopted principle of action
advocacy · campaign · lobbying · activism · progressive · modernization · overhaul · revision
Justified claims to freedoms
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- defendantParty facing charges
acquittal · sentencing · incarceration · prison · arrest · policing · racial justice · mass incarceration
legalize
Make officially permitted
- depenalizeRemove legal consequences from
- expungeDelete entirely, officially
- permitOfficial written authorization
authorize · sanction · lawful · licit · regulate · statute · possession · cannabis · marijuana · prostitution
emancipate
Grant freedom to
- freeWithout payment or restriction
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
exonerate · absolve · release · discharge · unburden · stigma · rehabilitation · reintegration · second chance · social acceptance
legislation
Official enactment of statutes
- amendmentChange to official text
- billAmount owed, written
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
policy · advocacy · campaign · lobbying · activism · progressive · modernization · overhaul · revision · change
rights
Justified claims to freedoms
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
defendant · acquittal · sentencing · incarceration · prison · arrest · policing · racial justice · mass incarceration · disproportionate
decriminalisecriminalise
Make punishable by law
criminalize · outlaw · illegalise · illegalize · ban
decriminalize, decriminalized, decriminalizing, decriminalizes, decriminalised, decriminalises, decriminalising