Legislation To End Crack Cocaine Sentencing Disparity Introduced In Senate Today

More than two decades ago, based on assumptions about crack which are now known to be false, heightened penalties for crack cocaine offenses were adopted. Sentences for crack offenses are currently equivalent to the sentences for 100 times the amount of powder cocaine, and the impact falls disproportionately on African Americans.

The following can be attributed to Michael Macleod-Ball, Acting Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislation Office:

“The disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing has been a stain on our justice system for over 20 years. There is no justification for this sentencing gap – both medical and legal research has consistently shown there is no significant difference between crack and powder cocaine. Not only that, there is consensus across the political and ideological spectrum on the sentencing disparity issue with both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama urging reform. With bills in both chambers and a president demanding legislative action, America is now as close as it’s ever been to finally ending the crack-powder disparity and unjust mandatory minimum sentences.”