In 2020, Virginia lessened and/or removed some penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Which term best describes this?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Decriminalization refers to the reduction or removal of criminal penalties for certain actions or behaviors, while still considering them a legal offense. In the case of Virginia, possession of small amounts of marijuana has been decriminalized, meaning that while it is no longer a criminal offense, it is still illegal and may result in civil penalties such as fines. Legalization would mean that possession and use of marijuana are completely legal and regulated, which is not the case in Virginia. Normalization and regulation are not applicable terms in this context.

In 2020, Virginia Lessened And/or Removed Some Penalties for the Possession