decriminalisation

Decriminalisation refers to the process of reducing or eliminating criminal penalties for certain actions that were previously considered illegal. This means that while the behavior might still be frowned upon or regulated, it is no longer a criminal offense. For example, some countries have decriminalised the possession of small amounts of marijuana, meaning individuals caught with it won’t face criminal charges, though there may still be fines or other non-criminal penalties. The goal is often to reduce the burden on the legal system, address social issues, or focus on public health rather than punishment.