The Supremes finally slapped down the unfair drug laws (Under the statute criminalizing the manufacture and distribution of crack cocaine, a drug trafficker dealing in crack cocaine is subject to the same sentence as one dealing in 100 times more powder cocaine). A victory for the democracy in the "War on Drugs". Drug offenders tried in federal court may get shorter prison terms, thanks to a pair of rulings by the Supreme Court this week.
Ultimately, only Congress can completely eliminate the crack/powder disparity. Four reform bills have been introduced in Congress (two by Democrats and two by Republicans). The U.S. Senate is expected to have hearings on the legislation in February. Unfortunately, no hearings on this issue have been scheduled in the House, and the House reform bill, Rep. Rangel’s (D-NY) Crack-Cocaine Equitable Sentencing Act of 2007 (H.R. 460), has stalled. You can help reverse the injustice of the crack/powder sentencing disparity by sending a message to your members of Congress.
0 comments:
Post a Comment