1. removing criminal penalties or legal prohibitions from an action, behavior, or substance
Usage: present participle of decriminalize; commonly used in policy and legal contexts

Examples

• Several countries are decriminalizing marijuana possession for personal use.
• The government is decriminalizing homelessness by removing penalties for sleeping in public spaces.
• Advocates argue that decriminalizing sex work would improve safety for workers.
• The new policy focuses on decriminalizing mental health crises rather than arresting people in distress.
• Portugal began decriminalizing drug use in 2001 and shifted toward treatment-based approaches.
• Decriminalizing abortion has been a major political issue in many states.
• The committee is considering decriminalizing certain traffic violations to reduce jail overcrowding.