If you don’t understand the distinction between “legal” and “encouraged”, we’re going to have a very difficult time communicating.
“Encouraged” is very clearly not absolute but relative here, “somewhat less discouraged than now” can just be written as “encouraged” for brevity’s sake.
“Encouraged” is very clearly not absolute but relative here, “somewhat less discouraged than now” can just be written as “encouraged” for brevity’s sake.