decriminalize

especially British, de·crim·i·nal·ise

[dee-krim-uh-nl-ahyz]

verb (used with object)

decriminalized, decriminalizing 

1. to eliminate criminal penalties for or remove legal restrictions against.

   to decriminalize marijuana.

decriminalize

/ diːˈkrɪmənəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to remove (an action) from the legal category of criminal offence

   to decriminalize the possession of marijuana

Other Word Forms

• decriminalization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decriminalize¹

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; de- + criminal + -ize

Example Sentences

Maduro at the time responded by decriminalizing use of the US dollar -- which became Venezuela's de facto currency -- as well as halting money printing and relaxing exchange controls.

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The ban was met with an outcry and a lawsuit from vendors who argued street vending had been decriminalized and the city could no longer outlaw the stands.

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Elsewhere in Latin America, courts in Colombia and Ecuador have decriminalized euthanasia without passing laws to legalize the practice, while Cuba allows for terminal patients to refuse being kept alive artificially.

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In Argyri's qualitative paper published last month, about one-fifth of participants said that legalizing or decriminalizing psychedelics would have reduced the stress and anxiety they felt about their situation.

Read more on Salon

Many cities have decriminalized psychedelics while Oregon, Colorado and, as of this month, New Mexico are beginning to roll out the country’s first pathways for patients to access them.

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Related Words

• legitimize