decriminalize
verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize (ˌ)dē-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 
-ˈkrim-nəl-
decriminalized; decriminalizing; decriminalizes
transitive verb
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
especially : to repeal a strict ban on while keeping under some form of regulation
decriminalize the possession of marijuana
decriminalization
(ˌ)dē-ˌkri-mə-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən
noun -ˌkrim-nəl-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Senate Democrats introduced a bill Thursday that would federally decriminalize, regulate and impose taxes on cannabis products. 
Jarrell Dillard, Bloomberg.com, 21 July 2022 According to Rodney Croome — a Tasmanian LGBTQ activist whom the star met up with in the docuseries — Tasmania was the last place in Australia to decriminalize homosexuality in 1997. Shafiq Najib, PEOPLE.com, 30 July 2022 The petition, a joint effort by San Marcos social justice group Mano Amiga and Ground Game, a Texas voter engagement group, seeks to decriminalize possession of up to 4 ounces of marijuana in the city. Ricardo Delgado, San Antonio Express-News, 28 July 2022 The growers are primed at the starting line to take off toward success while state regulators decide the industry’s future in Indias neighboring states legalize or decriminalize medical and recreational marijuana. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 July 2022 Nationwide, lawmakers are pushing to decriminalize marijuana and provide clemency to those who've been incarcerated for certain marijuana offenses. Briana Bierschbach, Star Tribune, 11 May 2021 The Pardons for Progress program is not designed to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, but to help people get jobs, Thompson said. al, 13 Apr. 2021 He was recently joined on Instagram Live by Senator Chuck Schumer to discuss Schumer’s push to decriminalize marijuana under federal law. Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2021 Thailand has become the first Asian country to decriminalize non-recreational use of cannabis. Naazneen Karmali, Forbes, 6 July 2022 See More
Jarrell Dillard, Bloomberg.com, 21 July 2022 According to Rodney Croome — a Tasmanian LGBTQ activist whom the star met up with in the docuseries — Tasmania was the last place in Australia to decriminalize homosexuality in 1997. Shafiq Najib, PEOPLE.com, 30 July 2022 The petition, a joint effort by San Marcos social justice group Mano Amiga and Ground Game, a Texas voter engagement group, seeks to decriminalize possession of up to 4 ounces of marijuana in the city. Ricardo Delgado, San Antonio Express-News, 28 July 2022 The growers are primed at the starting line to take off toward success while state regulators decide the industry’s future in Indias neighboring states legalize or decriminalize medical and recreational marijuana. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 July 2022 Nationwide, lawmakers are pushing to decriminalize marijuana and provide clemency to those who've been incarcerated for certain marijuana offenses. Briana Bierschbach, Star Tribune, 11 May 2021 The Pardons for Progress program is not designed to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, but to help people get jobs, Thompson said. al, 13 Apr. 2021 He was recently joined on Instagram Live by Senator Chuck Schumer to discuss Schumer’s push to decriminalize marijuana under federal law. Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2021 Thailand has become the first Asian country to decriminalize non-recreational use of cannabis. Naazneen Karmali, Forbes, 6 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1969, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
decriminalize
transitive verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize dē-ˈkri-mən-ᵊl-ˌīz
decriminalized; decriminalizing
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
decriminalizes
verb
as in legalizes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- legalizes
- permits
- suffers
- approves
- sanctions
- endorses
- lets
- allows
- indorses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- criminalizes
- outlaws
- prohibits
- forbids
- illegalizes
- proscribes
- bans
- enjoins
- bars
- interdicts