Decriminalization in the United States

Decriminalization of Drugs in relation to Crime and Race

Decriminalization of Drugs is included in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime (1), beginning with: Decriminalization of drugs involves the removal or reduction of criminal penalties associated with the use of specific substances. Full decriminalization occurs when the government does not consider drug use a criminal matter. Partial decriminalization involves some degree of governmental regulation regarding the type and amount of substance. Under this type of policy, the government may regulate the types of substances for which use or possession are permissible and control the situations in which drug use is acceptable (e.g., medical marijuana or drug maintenance programs). Decriminalization of drugs is not the same as legalizing a substance; decriminalization normally means that an infraction (such as possession of a small amount of marijuana) is a civil, rather than a criminal, law violation and would result in a civil penalty (such as a fine).

Resources

Notes and References

1. Entry about Decriminalization of Drugs in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime

See Also