This refers to the removal of criminal penalties for the possession and personal use of illicit psychoactive substances. While drug use remains illegal, individuals are no longer subject to criminal charges. Instead, civil penalties such as fines, education, or treatment referrals may be applied.
This approach differs from legalisation, which eliminates all penalties for possession and personal use. Under decriminalisation, drug trafficking, sale, and manufacturing remain criminal offences, but individuals affected by substance use are not criminalised for personal possession.
Records of civil penalties do not count as criminal convictions and typically do not affect employment, housing, or travel opportunities.