Senate Passes Bill To Reduce Cocaine Sentencing Disparity
A new bill approved by the Senate Wednesday will hopefully correct a large disparity in sentencing between powder and crack cocaine.
The Senate cleared the bill to correct the current 100:1 ratio between the two forms of the substance.
Currently, a person found guilty of crack cocaine possession gets the same mandatory jail time as someone with 100 times the same quantity of powder cocaine.
Furthermore while Blacks make up 30 percent of cocaine users, they comprise more than 80 percent of those convicted of federal crack offense because of the drug's prevalence in the Black community.
Now with the new passing, the ratio has been reduced to 18:1.
While still not fair, and still not at the logical 1:1 ratio, the reduction is garnering praise.
The Drug Policy Alliance says that they're happy with the reduction but the fight for racial equality is not over.
Jasmine L. Tyler spoke on behalf on the Drug Policy Alliance through a statement saying,
"Today is a bittersweet day. By not eliminating the disparity, the Senate has proven how difficult it is to ensure racial justice, even in 2010."
Wow, an 18:1 ratio still seems unfair. What makes crack cocaine more punishable than its powder counterpart?
I don't get it….
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2 Responses to “Senate Passes Bill To Reduce Cocaine Sentencing Disparity”
I think this is the right thing to do. frankly speaking, i don't believe the bill will change anything or improve the situation (there were many do*****ents , but none seems to be helpful http://www.pdfok.com/watch/crack-powder2002.pdf-8967558.html ). when it comes to money and getting profit, no matter how much you try to fight the evil, it seems undefeatable(
Hi,I am a student of law in Europe(Ireland) and am never ceased to be amazed at the difference between sentencing policy in Europe and in the U.S.
Ours seems too soft-yours seems too draconian..
In Ireland we have concurrent sentencing rather than concurrent so the incentive here is to really do the dog on your crime because you will only serve the sentence for the longest one which, if it is say 10 years, you will get 25% remission for good behaviour anyway(regardless of your behaviour!)