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Subscribe to RSSMsnbc.com's Alex Johnson explains why sentences for crack cocaine will be closer to penalties for powder cocaine.
No, thousands of "crackheads" aren't going to start flooding America's streets Tuesday.
That's just one of several myths that have surrounded the U.S. Sentencing Commission's vote in June to make federal sentence reductions retroactive for current prisoners convicted of crack possession or use.
What happens Tuesday is that some eligible federal prisoners who have petitioned for reduced sentences under rules Congress passed last year can begin being released. Those rules sought to address a disparity that meant crack offenders were given the same mandatory five-year minimum sentence as were offenders in possession of 100 times as much powder cocaine.
Since the so-called 100:1 ratio was imposed in 1986 — shortly after the cocaine-related death of college basketball star Len Bias — it has come to be widely regarded as racially discriminatory. That's because the great majority of those convicted of crack possession are African-American — about 84 percent, according to Justice Department statistics. By contrast, African-Africans make up only about 30 percent of those convicted of possession of powder cocaine.
In June, the Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to redress what it called the "fundamental unfairness" of the old law by allowing prisoners convicted before it was changed to seek to reduce their sentences to be in line.
The new policy applies only to those convicted in federal court — the tens of thousands of crack cocaine convicts in state prisons aren't affected. And it effectively applies only to those federal prisoners convicted after 2007, when the Sentencing Commission similarly allowed federal crack prisoners to seek retroactive reductions after a different adjustment of the guidelines.
That's a narrow subsection, comprising prisoners convicted in federal court of crack possession since the last adjustment. The commission projects it covers about 12,000 inmates in 116 federal prisons across the country.
Not all of those 12,000 prisoners will have their sentences reduced. For one thing, there's no way to know how many will actually seek reductions, particularly those who are near the ends of their sentences anyway.
And the reduction isn't automatic; prisoners must go before federal judges, allowing for potentially dangerous or violent offenders to be screened out. When the courts went through the same process three years ago, they rejected more than a third of petitioners.
The average reduction is projected to be about three years. Even with that reduction, the average sentence will still be about 10 years; that means many of those who win sentence reductions will still have several more years to serve.
• U.S. Sentencing Commission statement on new guidelines (.pdf)
All told, projections are that between 1,000 and 2,000 prisoners across the country will be eligible for immediate release when the policy takes effect Tuesday.
History does tell us that at least some of them will re-offend. But if the 2008 release is any indication, it won't be because they were let out early.
Source: U.S. Sentencing Commission, May 2011
Federal statistics show no difference in recidivism between crack defendants who were released early under a 2007 program and those who finished their sentences.
In May, the Sentencing Commission published its analysis of what happened to the approximately 16,000 prisoners who went free when their sentences were reduced after the earlier policy went into effect in March 2008. It compared their outcomes against those of a similar number of crack cocaine offenders who completed their sentences.
Over the two-year period, 30 percent of the early releases were arrested again for a new crime, the statistics show.
And what about the control group? More of them — 33 percent — were arrested again.
It's tempting to say the statistics show that early release makes crack offenders less likely to re-offend, but in fact the difference is within the statistical margin of error. What it does show is that there's no appreciable difference in recidivism between the two groups. (See chart above.)
• Read the entire U.S. Sentencing Commission analysis (.pdf)
(Regardless of whether they are released early or not, crack offenders are about half as likely to be arrested again as are federal criminal offenders overall, 59 percent of whom the Justice Department says are re-arrested within two years of release.)
More reality check: The new policy doesn't, in fact, wipe out the disparity in cocaine sentencing. It's the result of a compromise as Congress debated the new sentencing guidelines last year. True, the crack possession-to-powder possession isn't a whopping 100:1 anymore. But it's still 18:1 — meaning you can have 18 times more powder cocaine than crack in your possession and still wind up with the same minimum sentence.
There's one last misperception, perhaps the biggest of them of all. It's the persistent belief that the 1986 law disproportionally cracking down on crack was passed because Len Bias died after a night of crack-fueled celebration over his having been picked second in the NBA draft. His death came at the peak of the 1980s concern over crack and its role in drug gang violence that drove homicide rates into the hundreds a year in several major cities.
But Len Bias did not die from smoking crack cocaine.
At their annual seminar on sentencing, federal prosecutors reported last year: "Ironically, Len Bias's death was later shown to have been from a powder cocaine overdose — not a crack cocaine overdose as initially believed."
The paper is titled "Still Haunted by Len Bias." (.pdf)
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this is stupid, crack is stupid, the people who use crack are stupid. keep them in jail. are they just releasing these people to save money? if so how much money does it cost to arrest them again? idiots
Did you even read the article? The issue has to do with the sentencing difference between those caught with crack cocaine and those caught with powder cocaine.
Alchohol ruins just as many lives as drugs. Unfortunately drug laws ruin a lot more lives than do alchohol laws. End prohibition now. If people want to screw up their lives, that is their right.
MadTown - whatthink isn't just his handle, it's his motto...
Prisons in the US are overcrowded with non violent drug offenders, serving "mandatory minimum" sentences. This is what is "stupid." The war on drugs is a failure. It only benefits law enforcement who make their careers on it, and drug cartels who get rich because of it. It is time to recognize that the war on drugs does not prevent addiction any more than Prohibition prevented drinking. Studies show that legalizing drugs does not increase the number of addicts, nor does prohibition reduce that number. Check the website of L.E.A.P. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) for these studies. Lets stop this insanity.
Yeah and how many of those arrested on possession were dealers? How many robbed and stole to get the money to pay for their habit? Just because they're not a murderer, rapist, or molester doesn't make them 0 harm to society.
I agree impationtgirl, most of them are users and not dealers. The families and community bear the burden of this problem. I've known plenty of people in my life that got addicted to crack and other drugs and ended up robbing their family to support their habit. Although, the current sentence needs to be adjusted to fit the crime. 100:1 seems 100:1 too severe.
Comparing crack and cocaine is like comparing apples and oranges.
The crime does fit the original punishment.
Peteroid,
lol. I guess that would be punctuated: What? Think?
Speaking from someone who is white and served time in federal prison for distributing powder cocaine I can say with absolute certainty that the courts gave much harsher sentences for minorities. I cannot count the horror stories of young black I crossed paths with who were very intelligent and had a lot of potential to contribute to society but instead will spend the majority of their adult lives in federal prison for having approximately the same amount of a slightly different drug than the one I was caught with. (I'm 26 now)
A couple points about the article: it is a very small subsection of people who would be affected by this change, none of the people I came across.
The vast majority of people in federal prison (as opposed to state prison for crack cocaine offenses were selling not using. Therefore there will be no mass exodus of "crackheads" just dealers.
My point in all of this is that whether you are in favor of or against this change it doesn't matter, it has a negligible affect. No one will notice a difference. I personally would be in favor of more aggressive reductions. The US constitutes roughly 5% of the world's population, but incarcerates roughly 25% of the world's inmates. Think about it...
This is stupid? What is 'stupider'? Some of the people I have met over the years who have never used any illegal drugs - are some of the most stupid people I have ever met.
Longhair, I agree. The point of the restructuring of the sentencing guidelines is more about race than money or equality among drugs. It's about more blacks being locked up for a drug than white for a different drug.
ya make crack FROM powder!!
makes more sense to give longer sentences to the powder. people use powder to get high and use it to make crack , and a quick and high profit to buy more powder.
not sure of ratio but logic says.......
1 oz of powder makes 10 oz of crack (or 1oz = 5oz crack AND 1/2 oz powder)
1 ox of crack makes...well 1 oz of crack.
which should have a higher sentence?
*Disclaimer *
i smoke pot and believe in Regulation, not decriminalization or legalization of drugs.
we have the right to our own bodys , but also to safe drugs at a reasonable price.
Here goes....the dope smokers come out in droves and collapse the only logical comment on the thread.
FGH
The higher you are the smarter you become huh? makes sense. Why can you not say, let me have my constitutional rights and freedom to obtain live and pursuit of happiness? WHy do you have to start the "Einstein smoked crack and shot heroin" argument. The most ignorant person tha I ever met was the guy who walked out in front of a semi truck on the interstate immediately after saying
Marijuana has no adverse effects.
Yeah yeah it makes a fine rope. You ignore you have the GOD GIVEN RIGHT to use these things but not the spine to go out and make it happen. Just sitting on a soapbox will get you nowhere except called a stoner.
I think that society should in the first instance do all it can to help, rehabilitate, fix, whatever with first offenders of drug crimes (most crimes for that matter) bend over backwards to get the persons off the criminal behaviour track......along with the firm commitment to no second chance if they reoffend.
If they don't take the help and get the message on the first instance then they get the full brunt of the law.
Worth a try because whatever we are doing now aint working.
Yank, you offer up a good scenario. However, we already do that repeatedly. First offenders are given the chance to get clean with the threat of no mercy the next time. Second offenders and third offenders and fourth offenders too. Addiction is a disease and I agree with that, but then it gets used as a legal defense. "It's not my fault, I have a disease." That is horse-poo. Our legal system needs to be overhauled from top to bottom, then we can start fixing the war on drugs.
Let 'em out. Leave them to their own and off our tallies.
And we will leave the Meth head to tear down our country looking for copper! Got cable? Go electric. Think!
I say legalize it all. If some people want to fry their brains on drugs, who are we to stop them? If we legalize, tax, and regulate all of it we can at least CONTROL it, which is more than we are doing now with criminalization. It would also cut down on space in prison and make room for truly violent offenders and we'd save billions of dollars annually on law enforcement not having to fight an unwinnable war on druge. Furthermore, it would put the drug cartels out of business much like repealing Prohibition put the bootleggers out of business.
Isn't it ironic? They're hell bent on getting crack users/dealers out early yet the Obama admistration is continuing to raid medicinal marijuana growers. And this is after the liberals were so convinced he would be pro marijauana because of his smartass "I inhaled...that was the point" statement. This has nothing to do with reforming drug laws, and everything to do with being politically correct.
There are real differences between the way powder and crack work.
The people that use those things do not do so interchangeably.
It's a different high. So some use crack and some powder.
So different punishments make alot of sense.
If crack users want lower sentences, they could switch to powder, right?
They don't because these are not the same drugs. So we shouldn't have the same sentences.
@Ryan, totally not true. They are the same drug, chemically. The way it is ingested is what causes the difference in effect. Smoking crack is like freebasing cocaine. Not as many people can afford to freebase cocaine as can afford to smoke crack which is cocaine 'cooked' with an additive...baking soda, powder, etc. Takes more cooked 'crack' to get you as high as freebasing, but the main components chemically are exactly the same. Its like sentencing someone for 100x longer for smoking 'dirt weed' over good stuff. Makes no rational sense from a biochemical aspect.
There is a big difference in cost between the two as well. The 1986 law is biased not only against racial lines but also socio-economical. For those of you that remember the 80's, it was the yuppies doing the powder and crackheads were the people on the street.
If people want to kill themselves, who cares. Let them. Drug users should not go to jail.
ummmm-1451084
By your reasoning stealing graphite,the lead in pencils, and stealing diamonds should be the same crime since they are both just carbon. Pit bulls should be considered the same as toy poodles by your logic as well.
this is not going to make the private prisons happy, and if the special interests aren't happy the republicans aren't going to like it.
Tiredofsilly "If people want to kill themselves, who cares. Let them. Drug users should not go to jail".
The american public cares because drug use leads to abandoned families, theft and related crimes to support illegal habits. You can't just let the out of control run rampant in the streets, they are a danger to them selves and others. A large percentage of theft and violence is tied to illegal substance abuse.
So put users in jail that will keep families together.
Regarding this property crime, the majority of it resulting from drug use, results solely because drugs are illegal.
ummm - So why don't the users switch products?
If they want lower sentences, they can just switch to powder.
There are obviously big differences between them.
Associated crimes is also a big factor. If crack users are more likely to steal, then the user of crack should be punished more.
It is my understanding that crack users are more likely to commit other crimes than powder users.
Ryan,
Wouldn't it be more appropriate to prosecute and increase the penalties for the other crimes that actually effect other people than to assume that all drug users will commit other crimes. Why make the sentences harsher to stop crimes that have not been proven to have been commited.
to celebrate...they will start honk'n ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acWqqn19x0g
America will never win the "War on Drugs" because what it really meant was that it is a war on people who use them. Why should my hard earn tax money be spent on imprisoning people who wish to destroy their lives? Whom I to say different?
Nate - we already do not prosecute all drug crimes the same. Take the amounts for instance. The weight is different for the same punishment with different drugs.
The criminal justice system can say that one drug is more dangerous than another.
I still don't get why the users don't switch to powder if crack sentences are too high.
I will agree with some that decriminalizing marijuana would save tens of billions a year in spending and could increase tax revenue by excess of $100 billion a year (California Pot market is around $100 billion).
I'm not so sure about highly physically addictive substances such as cocaine, opiate or amphetamine.
Those might have to stay illegal forever.
I just don't buy the arguement that crack and powder must have the exact same sentences. We had powder for decades before crack. The problems of related criminal activities went way up with the advent of crack.
And look at the neighborhoods where the crack epidemic was worst. They were destroyed. You might live next to people who use powder, and not know it. But even in the worst neighborhoods (where some houses were already in disrepair), you can still tell which ones are crack houses.
That makes me think the effects are different enough to warrant greater punishment.
Steve,
"Pitbulls should be considered the same as toy poodles by your logic as well."
Don't even go there.
Cocaine users and crackheads are the worst. Theives, both of them. Now cocaine is clearly for the yuppies with todays economy and crack is for the street crowds. So now days most yuppies don't go around robbing people so they can go buy some cocaine, but crackheads do. Now its not to say that cocaine dosen't get to the street crowds at times and they do it, however most effective for them, everyones trying to get the most for their money now days. When the cocaine wears off, the street crowds will rob and steal what they can, so they can at least buy some crack if their score isn't enough for cocaine. Now $10 will get you some crack but you can't touch cocaine with $10. Cocaine users will usually wait for the next time to binge use it, but some can't wait for next weekend and will buy more and do it when they can and thats usually all the time. Those users will rob and steal, but thats a small number now days, because most are binge users and are glad to get a break from it during the week. I wouldn't let either one in my house alone. Both are theives. Now the crack users tend to be more violent when they run out of crack. They will hurt someone to get what they need. I'm really not sure about them not being criminals and being in prison. I believe this crowd of coke and crack need to be in prison. Same as a heroin addicts, stealing is programed in their minds as with the crack and coke users. So maybe if they are found to be on crack, coke or heroin when they commit a crime the sentence goes up big time for them. If they commit the crime and they aren't high then regular sentences should be given out to them, the same as any other criminal out there. Bloodwork would have to be taken to conclude the severity of the crimes and if no crack, coke or heroin is in the system at the time they commit the crimes then they get regular sentences, if it is in the sytem when they commit the crimes then the sentence is automatically increased. Just an idea I have for this but I doubt it would stop crackheads from committing crimes at anytime. Its really hard to leagilize these drugs because of these animals doing it, if it proved to have less crime because its legal then I'm all for it. Pot users, opiate users (not including heroin users) acid and meth users are usually productive people and not criminals. I'm trying to think of what other kind of drug users are out there and if I know any otherkind that I can evaluate here but thats it, those are the only ones I know of.
seatackle, I don't agree with you 100%. Pit bulls are usuall the pet of choice for crackheads and drug dealers. They should be outlawed big time. They aren't pets. They are assault dogs. No way should they be legal. I know theres going to be people here saying oh its how you treat them and they are so sweet if your not hurting them. Thats all bull crap. I had a neighbor that was bitten by his prize pb and then I have heard of other pb's biting children. Because of my neighbor I had to upgrade my fence so they weren't coming over to my place. I always told him I didn't trust them and he told me no don't worry they are harmless and then they went and bit the heck out of him. One thing I can say about him is that he treated them good and had all the paperwork for them along with all the vets paperwork and they still bit him. Now the drug dealers don't take their pb's to the vets, etc. I wouldn't shed a tear if they were all shot. I had to sit in my own back yard with a piece so the neighbors dogs didnt attack me, thats real nice having to sit in your own back yard and worry about pit bulls. Get rid of all of them they are sick assault animals and not pets.
None of it should be legalized.....meth is just as bad as crack and coke if not worse, it creates monsters as well as body rot and tooth decay. All of those drugs DO tear families apart, they take innocent children from their homes and put into foster care or worse....labs used to make these drugs can be lethal and a large percent of them have small children around inhaling these chemicals. Many users cannot reach the high they first were able to get and start injecting.....babies step on or sit on used needles laying around the house and can be infected with hep. or hiv.......I would rather them be anywhere but on the streets. I will agree that the prison system has no good drug rehabilitation program.....so most users go back to it when they are released, and yes they will steal and rob from anyone, including family members.....It is a sad sad epidemic that i do agree we will never win this "war".......Pot....that is another story i do agree with the legalization of it because if regulated it could help the economy, and i don't know a single pothead that acts like a crackhead.......
to me....meth is worse....and majority of users are white! Coke.....crack....it's the same to me....and white and black people use both!!!!!!
The fact a racial issue is being made out of illegal drugs is just another step of ignorance for the American public. You have 20-30 million illegals in the USA as part of the largest drug network in the WORLD....and you are worrying about a law about illegal. Talk about stupidity.
@Mark.....i agree with you......
I think I just read one of the most idiotic comments made on the Newsvine. "Pit bulls are usuall the pet of choice for crackheads and drug dealers" I can't believe someone wrote this. There is no crack head in the world who owns a pit bull and is still on crack. One a pit is worth money on the street. By your logic, a crackhead would have sold this animal by now for some....drum roll...CRACK! Two, how does a crackhead pay for the food for this animal? Since they are so violent and prone to attack, wouldn't said animal just eat the crackhead since it would be hungry? Using your logic also, that means your neighbor was either a crackhead or a drug dealer. LMAO! Kidding aside, American Staffordshire Terriers aka pit bulls get a bad rep due to some idiots that have used them in meanful ways. Yes, they are attack dogs, but so is a German Shepard. When you see a German Shepard, all you think of is law enforcement. Why? All dogs can become violent. Ask my step daughter's chihuahua who is boss or my French Mastiff!
I think everyone is missing the point, selling ANY type of drugs is illegal. Crack cocaine had a severe impact on the Black community, wouldn't you think these drug dealers should realize that they was/were killing thier own community? No, of course not, they were thinking amount of the money, fancy cars, designer clothes and multiple women they could get. Instead of going to school, getting a legit job, investing in stock, which by the way was the thing to do back in the 80's, they would have been wealthy by now, the legal way. They chose to do it the fast and easy way, so my motto is do the crime, do the time!!!!
Kind of like how the republicans operate. They don't care about their own people, just the money...
O yea. Get rich trading stock. "The legit way". Looked out your window lately? bahaahaaahaaaaa!
Dawn - if you believed what you are saying, then you'd be demanding that anyone in possession of powder cocaine should do the same time as those in possession of crack cocaine.
Thats the whole point of this article...black folks are doing the time, it's white folks who aren't.
I used to work for a guy hopped up on coke all day - it was embarrassing how common knowledge it was, watching the owners of the companies look the other way simply because he was part of them, not part of us (ya know the lowly office workers, he was in management).
It seems you got the same mentality, let the white ones off easy...they are just making simple mistakes. Throw the book at the black ones, they are tearing up their communities?
Do I have that right?
Jessica-1170252 - No, you have it wrong. You "throw the book" at them ALL. But most importantly, you don't let convicted criminals go once you have them in prison in the name of Political Correctness. Let me put this in terms you MIGHT understand... DUH!
This is the same ridiculous argument that lead to "mandatory sentencing". This meant that judges could no longer use their discretion --the entire reason for having a judge --to determine what to do with first-timer offenders, small quantities, and recreational users. This lead to people who would have ordinarily gotten probation, learned their lesson and moved on with life being incarcerated with hardened criminals. Jail is supposed to separate the dangerous criminals from society which is typically not the same person caught smoking a little pot on the weekend.
They're not alone; look at Wall Street. The financial community could care less how many middle-class lives they destroy in the name of profit...no difference.
Yes Dawn, you are the only one getting the point and EVERYONE else is missing it. How can you possibly forbear being the third poster on here?
@FoolKiller,
If the book had been thrown "at them all", this would not be an issue. The book was thrown disproportionally at black people who were slinging crack as opposed to white people who were slinging powder cocaine. So either powder cocaine was considered to be less of a threat to society, or white people selling powder cocaine were considered to be less of a threat to society than black people selling adulterated cocaine. Or just black dope dealers in general. Too often, justice is just us.
why not let them out...just like they left the woman out after only 8 yrs for murdering her sisters boyfriend....and now she has committed even worse crimes!! how did she only get 8 yrs to begin with?? drug dealers shouldnt serve more time than murders. time to revamp the whole system!!
I "get" this. I do. But, Jessica's story sort of lends a little credibility to arguments for the disparity in sentences. I mean, the guy at Jessica's employer was apparently snorting coke WHILE WORKING.
I'm certainly not saying that's a good thing. But, if you've got someone doing drugs and working on one hand and someone doing drugs and stealing stuff on the other hand. . . I've heard of people snorting coke and working. Usually what I hear is that they work really, really hard - until they die. But, I've never heard a single story of anyone ever doing crack at work.
Maybe we should just move all drug addicts and dealers to an island and let them do what they want.
I pick Rhode Island.....
This article is about crack users and possessors not dealers this is why I wonder about those of you who do not read the whole article. Its also about the disparity between the crack sentences and powder coke sentences but remember we're talking about possession and use not dealing.
Doh Doh: aren't they all on the island of Manhattan, at least during the day ?
Criminy. You're missing the point. These people haven't been convicted of selling crack; they were convicted of possessing crack. In this country, we don't convict people for crimes they aren't accused of committing or haven't been proven to commit. Just because you think something doesn't make it true.
+1 to talkingtoyou55. Thanks for some sanity.
its awsum that our system is finally collapsing. Now as americans we must realize what really constitutes jail time. Prison and jail should be reserved for those convicted of violent crimes, not just those who use drugs. The war on drugs is a failure. Just because someone tells me something is a rule, doesn't necessarily mean the rule is right therefore just because our system says drugs are illegal, it doesnt necessarily follow that they should be. Prohibition is a means to control the deviants in the population. The coorporations and govt. dont want us to experiment with drugs because it alters our perception and makes us realize how shallow and greedy we all can be. If they make drugs legal, it doesn't mean everyone is going to do them. i venture to say that most people here that agree with drug laws have never tried them themselves. i am not praising drug use, im saying that the freedoms in america seem to be dwindling more and more each given year. People should be allowed to do whatever they please with their own bodies. it is true that drugs can ruin peoples life, no doubt, but last time i checked alcohol is responsible for more deaths than all other drugs combined and it is legal. The only reason it is legal again is because people didnt follow the law about prohibition. We need to realize that we the people have all the power to accept or challenge current rules in our society. You don't believe in the laws, don't follow them. if we all did that certain laws would change. imagine if all of us stood up to the banks in unison and told them we want to decrease our housing interest rates therefore we will be paying less monthly. that would be getting things done. im sure alot of people would benifit from decreasing the size of their gargantuous loans they are slaving away to pay.
This is the same bias as 36% of annual abortions being performed on the 12% black community. Someone out there (Democrat Party) wants to see Genocide on the Black population. What better way than to abort their babies and keep the men in prison.
Someday the black population will wake up and see who really cares for them. Read Carl Sandberg's "Lincoln".
Jessica- Great Post and YES you have it right. Get people help with drug problems...
"But, I've never heard a single story of anyone ever doing crack at work." Well, I sure have. I've known crack heads who worked multiple jobs, even (real jobs, not dope dealing). On the other hand, I wasn't too sad when this chick I knew who would smoke crack in the coat closet at the preschool she taught at got fired...the idea of people getting high to work harder works better for some jobs than others. It seemed to go pretty smoothly for the crack heads I knew who worked food service jobs.
Just to give a little knowledge..Crack Cocaine is made by using pure cocaine (the kind that is snorted) and adding baking soda and water..you heat it up and stir and a rock is formed..The ONLY difference between a "coke head" and a "crack head" is that one perfers to snort while the other prefers to smoke. Crack is cheaper because once you add the baking soda you come out with more and are able to sell it for a cheaper price. So the few comments where someone actually thinks that a coke head is able to "work" and still use drugs as oppose to a smoker is pure bologna. Its just easier to snort then light up your pipe at work..lol
You know, I can't look at all these (fake) screen names that each of you use and tell what color your skin is. But, you know also, I haven't seen any two people yet with exactly the same skin color and shade; and I've seen a lot of people in a lot of places in my life already (and I hope I have a few years more to go). So how much does your skin color and shade make You exactly the same as any other person? Being married makes two human beings much more the same to each other than skin color ever does; and my lovely companion has skin a color and shade quite a bit different than mine!
But here is the thing that really amazes me as I read most of your comments; "How is it that so many of you think you know so much about these drugs and their chemistry and how business on the street happens?????!! AND how business in the cell blocks happens??!!
To late! Rhode Island is already full!
Google + reading comprehension. Try it, you'll like it.
streetbutterfly, it may be added that another reason why the cocaine powder is cooked into rock is because it is too acidic and therefore harmful to smoke; beside the reason of the monetary aspect of exponentially multiplying the product.
Sandie - 644591
Ok. So, instead of asking ourselves "Is the punishment for crack higher than the punishment for cocain powder because more blacks use it and everyone that isn't black is racist?" why don't we ask "Do white people convicted of crack use/possession/dealings get the same damn punishment as blacks?"
I think the answer will be a 'yes'. This isn't a 'racist' thing. This was "I percieve this drug as more harmful than the other one, so this one will get a longer sentence."
Why is the culture in America so barbaric? Some of the responses I've read are unbelievable.
Here's what's going to happen:
youtube.com/watch?v=g3L1rOz78qA
End the War on Drugs; let them ALL out. Let them buy their drugs cheap so they don't have to steal, and keep the dosage accurate so they don't OD unless they want to. Just don't ask me to pay for their drug treatment programs.
It's ridiculous, $27-$50k a year to house a prisoner, so a 10 year sentence for essentially doing what you want with your own body costs us far too much money.
You forgot to mention, the taxes we need at this point. Use that money to help addiction, and take the DEA's enormous budget and give it back to us, the people who are paying for this imaginary war that has done nothing but wasted a whole bunch of money and ruined countless lives.
Drugs are readily available here, why not take the violence of of the equation and make a couple bucks in the process.
The funny thing, is that most people who use and end up in jail could live somewhat productive lives will being users...many of them likely ended up in prison because they couldnt afford their habit and resorted to stealing.
I don't quite know why we - collectively as a society - have decided that warehousing them at $30K-$50K a year makes MORE SENSE than letting them waste their lives away on their drug of choice? I know why those who are profitting from this business model have worked tirelessly to keep it in place, despite the fact that by all accountable measures - the War on Drugs is a complete failure.
Just curious, how many violent rum runners are still out there? I didnt think there were many.
Legalize drugs and you take a whole section of our population (the drug pushers) and you put them in legit businesses, where they can do their jobs without having to cut heads off and to gun down their competitors.
Today's leaders of the booze industry, was yesterdays mobsters and gangsters...you'll notice, we don't still look at them with the same disdain and disgust...nope, we acknowledge them for the business people they've become.
Individually we can still conclude if they are immoral to the core for profitting off of something that really, in most cases simply wastes life away...such as alcohol or tobacco...every bartender in America (or the world over) ignores the fact that they feed every alcoholic their poison daily, and pretends like the bulk of their customers are the guys who get only 1 to 2 responsible drinks...just like every tobacco seller pretends like their customers aren't the ones getting lung cancer...
At the end of the day...IN THE LAND OF THE FREE...people should have the option to toss their life away on booze, tobacco, fast food, or marijuana or crack cocaine if they so choose.
We just need to stop paying for their demise - take the taxes from all "sin products" and dump that into a general fund for treatment (of cancer or other illnesses related to their habit) or for addiction treatment....after all, wouldnt we want most people addicted and wasting their lives away - to have a chance at turning it all around?
The taxes they pay on their poison should be available to help them when they are ready...
It's the most logical way to go about this - everyone's "worst fear scenario's" already exist...what exactly is there to lose?
fsilber,why not pay for drug treatment?we need jobs for all the unemployed prison gaurds decriminalization would create,plus treatment only works when the addict is ready,willing,and able.
I have an addictive personality. One of my addictions is fitness the other Marijuana. I used to drink alcohol but found myself making bad decision while under the influence of alcohol. While under the influence of MJ the only bad decisions I tend to make is the numerous trips to the fridge or food cupboard.
Recently the Police searched my public dumpster and found traces of MJ in garbage with mail indicating my address. Police knocked down my doors and found MJ. I am now facing up to 10yrs in prison. More than likely I will serve about 3yrs. That will cost the taxpayers over $60,000. I am a loving father of three and have been with my wife for 18yrs…..I’m not a damn criminal.
STOP THE MADNESS!
you should do marijuana in countries where it is legal. this would allow you to enjoy the pleasure and be 100% safe in the USA. follow local laws. thati s all.
is MJ against the law? yes it is.. so you did a crime, this makes you a criminal. if you break the law at least be a man to do the time. sucks you gotta do time but you shouldnt have broke the law. you had choices and choose the wrong one.
the problem with all drugs is it causes crime also. it clouds your judgement. and it does pysical/mental harm to you and others. if you want to just kill yourselves by doing these harder drugs just blow your brains out. its cheaper, quicker, and you wont be an idiot that gets behind the wheel and kills others or something.
all of you wanting to legalize everything have clearly screwed your brains up already. its a shame there are so many in america; i hate putting my life on the line every day in the middle east protecting my homeland for such dumb idiots. please leave and go to mexico or something. thank you!
Unfortunately, in this country you only do the time if you are not rich and/or famous - just ask Rush Limbaugh, Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan. None of them ever did serious time in jail for essentially the same type of offense. And as a child of the 60s I have smoked MJ and snorted cocaine. Neither messed up my brain as I got straight As in college and again just a few years ago went I went back to school for accounting. I quite doing both in my late twenties because I did not want to go to jail. Personally, I think MJ should be legalized - I am not advocating the same for cocaine. I see no difference between alcohal and MJ. I do not drive when I am having a drink nor did I when I was smoking. Responsible people will act responsibly - unresponsible people will not (witness drunk driving.) Make it illegal to drive under the influence and collect the tax money which would help local, state and federal coffers.
@ me28104
Not sure what kind of cop you are, but I don’t need you putting your life on the line for me, can promise you that. Something tells me many of us would be better off without your services.
You ever heard of LEAP (Law Enforcement Officials Against Prohibition)? Yeah plenty cops and judges who see right through this BS, unfortunate most of them wait until they retire to speak up.
I have been traveling to Amsterdam for vacation since the 70's. But why should I have to go half way around the world to smoke a joint. All the money I spend there on hotels a restauants could be spent here in our economy
I am 59 years old, an engineer, a navy vet, a college grad. Pot is innocuous, despite govt claims to the contrary, Most people that use drugs are just regular folks who are deemed criminals by our idiotic drug laws, oh, and by the way you never see the kids of privilage facing these penaties, they get their kids off and have their records expunged all the while preaching about how tough we should be on drug users
We will never get rid of the "war on drugs" because the DEA has taken on a life of it's own. Have you ever known of a large govt agency to cease to exist. Our drug prohibition indirectly supports the cartels monopoly.
I dream that one day before I die I can legally smoke a joint in my own country.
I'm with you, Alber Johnson. Until then, I'll have to smoke a joint illegally.
@ its420: Hope all you get is a slap on the wrist. The streets are not going to be safer by putting you or any other mj user in jail.
End prohibition and legalize now!!
The United States incarcerates/executes a higher percentage of its citizenry than any other industrialized nation in the world. Something is wrong with this picture!
Yes....the rest of the world is wrong.
Your stats are wrong, China executes far more of it's own people, and then they sell their organs. Your drug habit has killed far more Mexican citizens in the last five years, than have ever been executed in the US.
Tarzan - is my drug habit, or is the US's law's regarding my habit?
I'd happily walk into a store and buy my marijuana like Bubba can walk in and buy his 6pack and carton of cigarettes if idiots like you would let me.
Perhaps, YOU'RE THE ONE KILLING ALL THOSE MEXICANS BY SUPPORTING OUTDATED AND ANTI-FREEDOM TYPE LAWS.
This is the land of the free right?
Why am I not allowed to smoke a joint if I want? Explain it to me like im a 5 year old watching my mom chain smoke her cigs so I can understand.
LOL....too funny!....ROFLMAO....hahahaha...hehehe...Guffaw.... etc., etc. etc.
Good one...you must be smokin' some o' that high potency Mexican weed to come up with that!
Isnt any good weed from Mexico Robbo.Get you some Mauii Wowie Hydro and you
might think otherwise. :)======~~~~~~~
southHampton herp? Do you know Mel?
Yeah, keep those dangerous marijuana dealers in jail. You know how many people have died in my town just from marijuana consumption? Well it still sits at zero, but that's besides the point. Good ol' crack, you never keep me on a one track mind.
Interesting; same site, same day, same topic yet completely different conclusions. How does "Judges have been signing orders for immediate release on Tuesday" get turned into "prisoner's will have to petition the courts for early release"?
I'm glad the sentencing unfairness has ended but I would still like to see drug offenses with punishments that do not include long prison sentences. I'd like to see all non-violent offenders sentenced to home confinement rather than prison. Our prisons are over crowded and the tax payers over burdened. Let those who raised them pay for their confinement.
Bring back Devil's Island! O do waht Ireland did. Sent them to Australia...
If a non-violent offender had home confinement rather then prison, the cost of this would go to the person convicted. They would have work release and would have to pay 25% or more to stay at home. They could also get proper treatment for their addiction (at their own expense). Treatment in the Federal prison system is non-existent. They may have 12 step groups but that's about it.
When someone needs help for this or any addiction, if your white you get it, if your black you go to prison. I'm white and see this as a slap in the face to all of us. If the sentences were the same for all first time offenders, maybe the system wouldn't be so overcrowded and expensive.
News flash and reality check! How many crack dealers/users have regular jobs? Work release?!?!?! Who's gonna hire a crackhead/ex-crack dealer? Good luck with that, regardless of your race.
When you are on home confinement one of the conditions are you need to get a job or go to prison. Most states have either a Job service or WFD that gets these people jobs. Even if it is a part-time job, you also have a probation officer that will make you get some type of employment. It may take time, effort and a willingness to get or stay clean, but it is definitely better then the alternative. I have 24 years of sobriety and someone took a chance with me. I'm not saying that all will make it, but sometimes all you need is the faith that you can do it.
Whether it be for the use of crack or any other crime, I find it laughable when people talk about punishments being more harsh for black offenders. I draw your attention to Donte Stallworth, 30 days in jail for running over and killing a man while driving drunk. Ray Lewis who got 12 months probation on an obstruction charge after he was involved in a fight in which two men were killed.
I agree with the legalization of marijuana. But working in the construction industry, we get calls everyday about the destruction thieves have wrought trying to get copper and/or aluminum from rooves, hvac units, electrical wiring and any other place they can. In the majority of those cases, if the person is found, they also have some form "hard" drug in their possession. Meth and/or pills mostly. It seems close to a majority of people around here are into one or the other, sometimes both, black, white, green, purple or polka-dotted.
I would be ok with the legalization of all drugs, as long as it's also legal to shoot the thieving bastards too.
Let people consume what they want.
Give people sovereignty over their physical body and thoughts - please.
Put them in jail when they hurt someone because of their inability to understand a consequence of action.
It's so simple.
Personal responsibility.
Slightly off topic here, but I'm sorry to have to be the one to break the news to you. Personal Responsibility and Common Sense both passed away a few years ago. Sadly, their passing has changed many things in this country.
Danno! I see wut u did thar. ;)
Book Em Danno! Sorry, I couldn't resist that!
Not surprising from Obama and crew. Release thousands of criminal crackheads.... Nice..
They should all live near Obama supporters. When your house gets robbed and looted for money for crack, you will have paid the price for your support.
Idiots.
Gee Shorty They said it is a myth - that means not true! Look it up! We sure did not have any Crack under W1 did we??
"In June, the Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to redress what it called the "fundamental unfairness" of the old law by allowing prisoners convicted before it was changed to seek to reduce their sentences to be in line. "
Here's the link to the Commissioners' bios..you'll find most of them have been there longer than Obama.
http://www.ussc.gov/About_the_Commission/About_the_Commissioners/Commissioner_Bios.cfm
In the future, please read the entire article: "The average reduction is projected to be about three years. Even with that reduction, the average sentence will still be about 10 years; that means many of those who win sentence reductions will still have several more years to serve."
Yeah..IT must be true since it is written on the net... Do you believe everything you read on the internet? This is MSNBC afterall, it carries Obama's water and is an arm of the Democrat party...
If one of the crackheads gets released and commits a serious crime, Obama will get pounded by it.
Like I said, let them NEXT DOOR to YOU>..dont be NIMBY if you support this. I dont want these fiends around me...
Shorty sounds like he'd rather have a bunch of pedophile priests, MLM scam artists and pyramid purveyors as his neighbors. Don't do drugs, just do my kids seems to be the right's mantra today.
So you think it makes a difference if they stay 15 years instead of 12 years? The article stated that this change in law would only apply to a small percentage of persons that are jailed and the only reason is that the law concerning sentancing is antiquated and unbalanced.
Federal prisons are filled with thousands of people who should never have been there. Fundimental fairness notstanding, this change is more than past due. How dare anyone here attack our legislators for complying with public demand and realizing the absurdness of sentencing guidlines versus the judgement of a competent federal judge. "Me thinks thou hast viewed far too much tv!"
If you want to be mad at Obama for something drug related then be pissed that he is not encouraging reduced sentences for possession of marijuana instead. He is raiding distribution centers and putting more of those users in jail.
The stoners are less likely to invade your home or go through your trash unless you are hiding a cheeseburger in there.
Great article, Alex. Thanks for communicating the facts about the issue using empirical data and common sense.
Is this OWS dummie a crackhead,lol?
http://patdollard.com/2011/10/occupyatlanta-haftin-to-be-uproared/
Whew!! That was a close call. Now if our government would legalize marijuana, juveniles, adolescents, and other young people wouldn't have to smoke crack, heroin, meth, or pcp. Many die and others are jailed for their addictions. That is plain stupid. These drugs are the cause and effect for violent crime, and those perps should be incarcerated if they commit a felony to obtain their fix. And yes, these drugs are more available on every street in the USA. WHY? Because our government chooses to pursue the negative, mythological, stereotypical war on the victimless crime of using the killer weed, marijuana. FACT. In the past five years, in my little neck of the woods here in north central PA, there have been no less than a half dozen overdoses attributed to heroin use. WHY? See above. These drugs are simply more available to our youth. Great job DEA! The blood of American youth is on your hands. No one, I repeat, no one can overdose from smoking pot! Legalize the weed or at least decriminalize it...it is not addictive, and this is a fact. The above mentioned synthetic, powdered drugs are very addictive. Why is there such a problem with regard to the legalization of marijuana? This myth about cannabis needs to be laid to rest once and for all.
You guys must all be on crack................'cause you're crackin' me up.
Robert-2241664, taking your point of view would solve many problems associated with drugs.
But let us go a step further, like some European nations, where all problems resulting from drug use are all treated as medical problems. In those countries, even heroin addicts are fully employed and live meaningful lives.
Hey, I used to drink 3.2 beer (okay, I was 18 at the time) then moved on to 6% to get more buzz. Now I drink alcoholic drinks with 10 to 15% alcohol to get a buzz. Drug usage starts off the same way with marijuana moving on to harder drugs to get that good feeling. Meth has exploded all over the US as a drug that is highly addictive and easy to make. Meth users don't care how they get it of who they hurt in the process.
Get rid of all the drug sources and there should be fewer addicts. Put the pusher in prison for life! Better yet, OD him on his own stash and take care of the problem permanently.
HemiMan-01, this is exactly what I'm talking about. That way of thinking is like saying a 283 short block, v-8 could beat a 426 v-8 hemi in a quarter mile. Maybe, if the hemi auto was filled with beer swilling red necks holding two half barrels weighing 185 lbs. each. What is it that you do not understand about the difference between alcohol and marijuana? Alcohol IS addictive, period. Marijuana ISN'T! Do you get it hemi-block head?? Your body was responding to alcohol, a central nervous system depressant, to add a higher level of alcohol % for your physiological needs. This my block-headed friend is called "ADDICTION." I've been toking fo over 40 years now, and have never had the urge, desire, or physical need to seek out harder drugs, with the exception of course peer or social pressure. Fact is Chauncey, marijuana just ain't addictive...and I know for a fact, you simply cannot overdose on weed, it is impossible. I challenge anyone in the scientific community to bring factual data to the table showing the addictive qualities of the "killer weed." It is impossible, cannot be done, and most of all cannot be proven scientifically. I'll put my case study about the alleged addictive qualities of marijuana up for scrutiny against any government sponsored scientific study with a wager attached. If I'm right, marijuana should be legalized. If I'm wrong, I'll never smoke pot with Willy again!! Peace out. Weed is illegal and addictive only in our government's eyes.
drugs = violence = prison, clean them up and keep them in.
religion = violence
politics = violence
self-righteousness = violence
Strange, none of these put you in prison until you do something to someone else.
propaganda = ignorance = believing non-violent offenders need to be locked up
In reality, lack of gratitude, selfishness and pride are causing most of the violence in contemporary society.
OK so if I go along with letting out the non-violent offenders from prison, that means all the car thieves, buglars, tax evaders, and all white collar criminals would now be free? Bernie Madoff would LOVE that idea! So would OJ Simpson he would be back on the golf course! Sounds like a great plan.
Our justice system is broke! Terrorists get less time in jail for murdering unarmed innocent civilians! Do not get me wrong - I do not like druggies - but our justice system is broke just the same, & terrorists deserve the death sentence period! {:-(}
Crack is Back !! Go Herman
No thanks, if he's on crack we've already had one GOP crack addict president and we're still paying for his conversion.
No buyers no cartels
I agree "no buyers no cartels". I think all US citizens should be killed by the DEA, thereby eliminating the risk of them buying drugs and supporting the cartels. You are absolutely brilliant Janitor.
It should be pointed out that the cartels also flourish from prostitution and weapons smuggling activities.
If the American public were not buying these drugs there would be no market, no drug runners from Mexico, little or no crime, America has become a nation of addicts. The Blacks are in jail because they have to rob people to support thire habit. The problem has become so bad that the polititions are afraid to in force laws to stop the users.
Now where are all the soldiers going to work when they return from other countries ?? inforce the border with Mexico? police the streets? No I bet they will just walk the streets looking for work.
Hopefully at least one with teach grammar, spelling and logic skills. Look this one up, you can both benefit greatly.
janitor - don't you have a toilet to clean or a floor to mop.
Hey Janitor, if you find one give daryl a call, he would also benefit from it! And please say no to CRACK! Pull your damn pants up man!
And if you had wheels you'd be a wagon.
Janitor, on a more serious note, do get the dvd, The Black Power Mix 1965-1975. To look at the whole movie of course; and please note what this movie points out about the government and drugs towards the movie's end.
chochabula: Never fails, every time I correct someone I stand naked with my own sins. Guilty.
I hear ya daryl!
Crack Zombies?
Awesome, more crime and drug addicted people to roam our streets, steal from us, hurt others, and get in more trouble. Rapists, crackheads, child molesters, and murderers run free, while pot smokers are condemned for harvesting plants. This country, while it has been for awhile, is really going downhill.
The next couple generations of people terrify me.
They are the generations you and yours have created.
The Crackheads may not get you? But the Methheads and herion junkies will if given the chance! A new plague and an old one have been become the norm across this country thanks to the invasion of illegals from the south and our Presidents inept policies towards these people currently living unfetted in our communities.
What?
You need to stop acting like illegal immigration is just a bad thing under this administration. Matter of fact, this administration has deported more than most.
Blame the corporations and politicians making it appealing to cross the border illegally. Then again, that would go against your agenda to bash the president for the sun rising, correct?
No mike I am for E-verify across the board, I am all for fining the Corporations ten of thousands of dollars for hiring them, I am bashing All politicians for their lack of not enforcing the laws of this Country, Sure catching a few percent at the border looks good on paper, But in reality their are millions that have made their way in, These are the people I am referring to, You know who I am talking about don't play stupid, You got waun working under the table for some Construction co. making fifteen dollars an hour, Jose brings him a load of meth every month to sell, All while his ol lady and six fuk trophys get 1500 dollars welfare money and a EBT card to go shopping with.
US citizen, you need to find a source of real information and get away from the Glenn Beck/Lou Dobbs hate machine.
First, Obama (whom you hate for other reasons obviously) has the best enforcement record in regards to illegal immigration of any president in the last century. He doesn't just catch a few at the border, he has deported more criminals and undesirables than GWB, GHWB and Reagan combined. Quit denying the obvious, you have no clue as to the numbers you are simply here because you hate.
Next, the rest of your rant is unintelligible because you seem to have been drooling on your keyboard.
Until we end the corporate desire for cheap illegal labor we cannot end the illegal immigration. They aren't coming here to have anchor babies (at least not many) and they are not coming here for the social programs. They are coming here because our "job creators" only create jobs for those who are willing to work themselves to death for a job that pays little, has no benefits and cannot expect their job to be there tomorrow.
We have met the enemy, it is capitalism without constraint.
thehill.com/homenews/administration/188241-ice-announces-record-breaking-deportations
Education is a terrible thing to waste.
LOL, You're a Liberal LOSER, just like Obama/OBLUNDER!!!
You have NO CLUE, like the ACLU!!!
Face the facts stupid liberals, The Divider in chief and this Administration has been under more pressure to do something about the illegal alien problem than any other before it, We now have millions here effecting us negatively in every aspect, They need to go, Obama is giving back door amnesty now to any illegal that does not have a felony on their record, This is not acceptable.
How many studies have to be done for our elected officials to finally understand the War on Drugs is actually fueling the problem? It would be far cheaper than the cost of prisons, jails, courts, foreign aid, and military for the government to buy these drugs themselves, provide a safe place for addicts to use, and provide the addicts the drugs at low or no cost. There wouldn't be any more addicts/users than there are now, and enforcing laws sure isn't solving the problem. Far back in our human history people were using substances to alter their state of mind. I doubt that drug use would disappear even if the United States became a declared police state. It certainly has become more of a police state, and is steadily losing control to the vast army of street gangs, prison gangs, and foreign cartels. We need change. A common sense practical approach that doesn't threaten lives or drain the taxpayer coffers would be nice.
The officials aren't the problem, Paduki. The problem is the large number of idiots in this country that aren't bright enough to comprehend what you are saying. The officials are just one of the symptoms.
America's Three Branches of Government is what's killing this country........ Let everyone out of prison and you would still be faced with DISASTER! It's time the people of America disarm their cancerous government. Keep local government our Legislative, Judicial and Executive are 100% corrupt and have committed absolute treason against the very people in which they were intrusted to serve.
Get rid of "mandatory sentencing" and "tort reform limits on lawsuits". Either you believe in the jury system or you don't. Mandatory sentencing is just sleazy politicians trying to prove they're "tough on crime".
As tort reform is the hushed-up demonstration that they aren't "tough on crime" at all, where those who support their campaigns are concerned. Attacking the poor is safe- attacking the rich hurts your chances of re-election into "public service"- that wonderful, profitable joyride of endless cumshaw and pandering which Americans call politics.
Why not Jessica...
Why not what?