why does crack cocaine get much harsher prison sentences?

Question by akfortyseven: why does crack cocaine get much harsher prison sentences?
than the simple powdered form of regular cocaine

does this have to do w/ racism? that the laws are catered towards wealthy whites who get lenient sentencing when compared to the penalties of crack cocaine (which is more commonly used among black people)

Best answer:

Answer by wh000aaa
Because African-Americans historically have used crack cocaine much more than powdered cocaine (it is a cheaper and more available form in the urban slum areas because it is less pure than coke powder). It’s was just the government’s way of responding to the crack “epidemic” of the 80’s. They made a huge sentencing disparity because they’re racist assholes and they could get away with it, and still are getting away with it. The war on drugs is a fucking joke.

EDIT: Crack cocaine and powdered cocaine are the same drug, crack is the basified salt form of powdered cocaine and it is active when smoked. Neither one is more addictive or dangerous than the other.

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