1. The process of ending prohibitions on the production, distribution and use of a drug for other than medical or scientific uses. In the drug policy context “legalisation” is generally used to refer to a policy position advocating “legal regulation” or “legally regulated drug markets” for currently prohibited drugs. 2. Non-specific term that refers in a general sense to removal of criminal sanctions for possession, production, distribution and sale of substances. Includes a number of measures such as decriminalization, depenalization, and other regulatory measures. Due to its non-specific nature use of this term is discouraged in favour of use of the more specific terms. Defacto legalisation, i.e. prohibition with an expediency principle – laws are not enforced at select stages. De jure legalisation, i.e. explicit laws that permit use.3. Legislation refers to making drug use, possession, production and distribution legal. Unlike decriminalisation, legalisation would repeal all penalties, criminal and civil, for use, possession, production and distribution of a substance. However, legalisation would most likely still require other types of controls and regulations put in place (e.g. restrictions to licensed proprietors and age restrictions on sales). Legislating under a regulatory system would control the production, marketing, sale and use of substances. No such provision currently exists in relation to “street-drugs” (as opposed to alcohol or tobacco which are regulated products).
