decriminalize
verbUK /diːˈkɹɪmɪnəlaɪz/
Etymology Back-formation from decriminalization, equivalent to de- + criminalize.
- The march to decriminalize drugs moved further across the nation on Tuesday despite continued federal prohibition.2020 April 11, Thomas Fuller, “Oregon Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Heroin and Cocaine; Four States Legalize Marijuana”, in The New York Times:
- The House of Representatives approved decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level on Friday in the first time Congress has acted on the issue.2020 April 12, Deirdre Walsh, “House Approves Decriminalizing Marijuana; Bill To Stall In Senate”, in NPR:
2 more examples
- Last fall Oregon voters decriminalized possession of small amounts of almost all hard drugs, taking a groundbreaking step away from the arrest, charge and jail model for possession that's been a centerpiece of American drug policy since President Richard Nixon declared his War on Drugs 50 years ago this week.2021 June 18, Eric Westervelt, “Oregon's Pioneering Drug Decriminalization Experiment Is Now Facing The Hard Test”, in NPR:
- The court’s decision decriminalizes abortions in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, and means that any woman should be able to seek the procedure from a health professional without fear of criminal prosecution.2022 February 22, Julie Turkewitz, “Colombia Decriminalizes Abortion, Bolstering Trend Across Region”, in The New York Times:
- Derived terms
- decriminalization, decriminalizer