system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: What is the difference between decriminalisation and legalisation?
gpt
Decriminalization simply means that you make it a law that can only be cited or ticketed for. These offenses are like traffic violations, you go to court, pay a fine and thats that. No permenant black mark on your record, no jail time (as long as you pay the fine).

Legalisation however means that the activity that formerly could be penalized by the state in any way is now legal and you will not be arrested, charged, ticketed or fined for possession or use of it.

Citations are civil fines imposed on ordinances or rules set by the town or local gov't up to the state level. Crimes are criminal offenses that are tried in court and can lead to jail time.