Decriminalization

World laws on cannabis possession (small amount). Data is from multiple sources detailed on the full source list. This map is a work in progress, please give corrections and additions here.

Decriminalization is the reduction or abolition of criminal penalties in relation to certain acts. The reverse process is criminalization.

Decriminalization reflects changing social and moral views. A society may come to the view that an act is not harmful, should no longer be criminalized, or is otherwise not a matter to be addressed by the criminal justice system. Examples of subject matter which have been the subject of changing views on criminality over time in various societies and countries include:

• Homosexuality
• Prostitution
• Polygamy^[1]
• Possession, use and sale of various psychoactive drugs, but especially cannabis, that were made illegal mostly in the 20th century
• Breastfeeding in public
• Non-sexual public nudity
• Anabolic steroid use

While decriminalized acts are no longer crimes, they may still be the subject of regulation; for example, the licensing and regular medical testing of prostitutes, or a monetary penalty in place of a criminal charge for the possession of a decriminalized drug. This should be contrasted with legalization, which removes all or most legal detriments from a previously illegal act.

Cannabis see also

• Cannabis rescheduling
• Decriminalization of non-medicinal marijuana in the United States
• Places that have decriminalized marijuana in the United States
• Legal history of marijuana in the United States
• Legality of cannabis by country
• Legal and medical status of cannabis
• Legality of cannabis
• Cannabis legalization in Canada
• Marijuana Policy Project
• Colorado Amendment 44 (2006)

General See also

• Timeline of LGBT history
• Legalization
• Prohibition
• War on drugs
• Public order crime
• Victimless Crime
• Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
• Legal issues of anabolic steroids
• Sex trade (Canada)
• Sex worker
• Sodomy law

References

1. ^ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,660214924,00.html

External links

• Philosophical and ethical foundations of decriminalization
• Seattle Hempfest
• Documentary film

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