1. removing criminal penalties or legal prohibitions from an activity or substance
Usage: present participle of decriminalise (British spelling); American spelling is decriminalizing; typically used in policy and legal contexts

Examples

• Several countries are decriminalising the possession of small amounts of cannabis.
• The government is decriminalising homelessness by removing penalties for sleeping in public spaces.
• Advocates argue that decriminalising drug use would reduce incarceration rates.
• The new policy focuses on decriminalising mental health crises rather than prosecuting individuals.
• Many jurisdictions are decriminalising abortion access in response to changing social values.
• The committee recommended decriminalising consensual adult relationships that were previously illegal.