legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
Examples of legalize in a Sentence
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
The government has legalized the use of the new drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Red Lake’s original NativeCare dispensary, located on tribal land in Beltrami County, was the first dispensary to open after the state legalized the sale of cannabis in August 2023.
—
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
While the reclassification is intended to bolster medical marijuana research and won’t legalize cannabis at the federal level, the move comes at a time when use in the United States is at a high.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
The executive order does not, however, legalize marijuana under federal law.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025
Trump's order does not immediately reclassify marijuana and does not legalize recreational cannabis usage.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
While the reclassification is intended to bolster medical marijuana research and won’t legalize cannabis at the federal level, the move comes at a time when use in the United States is at a high.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
The executive order does not, however, legalize marijuana under federal law.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025
Trump's order does not immediately reclassify marijuana and does not legalize recreational cannabis usage.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 30 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
Legal Definition
legalize
transitive verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization
noun
legalizer
noun
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