Legal Definitions - legalize

Definition: To make something lawful or authorized by legal sanction.

Example 1: The government decided to legalize same-sex marriage, giving LGBTQ+ couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.

Example 2: Some countries have chosen to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, allowing patients to access it legally with a doctor's prescription.

Explanation: In both examples, the action of legalizing something (same-sex marriage and marijuana for medicinal use) means that it is no longer considered illegal or prohibited. The government has given its legal sanction to these actions, making them lawful and authorized. This allows people to engage in these activities without fear of legal consequences.

Related term: legalization (noun form)