This chapter will explore decriminalization, which is also an alternative to drug prohibition. In the first part of this chapter, we define decriminalization and clarify how it is both similar and different to a number of other alternatives to prohibition that are currently operating around the world. After this, we explore early examples of cannabis decriminalization in the United States in the 1970s, before then turning our attention to modern day examples found around the world today. In the third section of this chapter, we introduce a typology for classifying and categorizing countries whose policies have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of numerous different drugs including cannabis. We then turn our attention to empirical research on the effects of decriminalization policies, before concluding with a discussion of obstacles to decriminalization.