Decriminalization - sustany/dvg GitHub Wiki

Decriminalization is the process through which the legislature removes criminal sanctions against an act, omission, article, or behavior which is considered a crime. Decriminalization means it would remain illegal, but the legal system would not prosecute a person for the act. The penalties would range from no penalties at all to a civil fine. This can be contrasted with legalization which is the process of removing all legal prohibitions against the act.�

Recently, several states have decriminalized marijuana. Decriminalization of marijuana drops criminal sanctions for the use or possession under a specified amount. A decriminalized drug is still illegal; but the punishment would not be a criminal sanction, like arrest or incarceration. Instead, offenders may still face a civil fine or require drug treatment/education. The production and sale of decriminalized drugs is still prosecutable by law; drug possession that is decriminalized by a state still allows the drug to remain federally controlled and regulated.