decriminalizes
Lifts criminal status
Decriminalizes means removes criminal penalties from something previously illegal.
When a jurisdiction decriminalizes an activity, engaging in it no longer results in arrest or prosecution, though civil penalties or fines may remain: Portugal decriminalizes drug possession while keeping trafficking illegal.
Decriminalization differs from legalization, which removes all legal restrictions.
Formal clearing of charges
- exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
- expungementOfficial record removal
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
clemency · rehabilitation · restitution · equity · fairness · sentencing · prosecution · conviction
Making something lawful
- statuteEnacted written rule
- billAmount owed, written
- enactmentPassing into law
- lawmakingCrafting enforceable rules
parliament · senate · amendment · regulation · ordinance · ratify · codify · policy
Psychoactive hemp plant
- cannabisPsychoactive hemp plant
- possessionState of owning
- narcoticsDrugs inducing sleep, numbness
- drugsTherapeutic chemical compounds
psychedelics · psilocybin · ketamine · harm-reduction · dispensary · regulation · trafficking · paraphernalia
Independent decision-making capacity
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
dignity · privacy · choice · consent · equality · marginalized · disenfranchised · activism
acquittal
Formal clearing of charges
- exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
- expungementOfficial record removal
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
pardon · clemency · rehabilitation · restitution · equity · fairness · sentencing · prosecution · conviction · defendant
legalization
Making something lawful
lawmaking · parliament · senate · amendment · regulation · ordinance · ratify · codify · policy · governance
marijuana
Psychoactive hemp plant
- cannabisPsychoactive hemp plant
- possessionState of owning
- narcoticsDrugs inducing sleep, numbness
drugs · psychedelics · psilocybin · ketamine · harm-reduction · dispensary · regulation · trafficking · paraphernalia · consumption
autonomy
Independent decision-making capacity
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
empowerment · dignity · privacy · choice · consent · equality · marginalized · disenfranchised · activism · movement
decriminalizescriminalizes
Declares legally forbidden
prohibits · outlaws · bans · illegalizes · proscribes
decriminalizesprosecutes
Pursues legal action
punishes · suppresses · polices · targets · persecutes
decriminalizesprohibition
Authoritative legal ban
criminalization · ban · crackdown · enforcement · suppression
- drug decriminalizationEnding substance possession penalties
decriminalize, decriminalization, decriminalized, decriminalizing