DPA on NY 1:Senate Passes Bill To Reduce Crack/ Powder Cocaine Disparity

Anthony Papa communications specialist for the Drug Policy Alliance comments on the legislation approved by the Senate on March 17, 2010 that would significantly reduce the disparity in sentences handed out to those convicted of crack and powder cocaine charges. Currently, a person convicted of crack cocaine possession gets the same mandatory jail time as someone with 100 times the same quantity of powder cocaine. That 100-1 ratio has been particularly hard on the black community, where convictions on federal crack laws are more prevalent. Under the measure, approved by a voice vote, the ratio would be reduced to 18-1. Today is a bittersweet day, said Jasmine L. Tyler of the Drug Policy Alliance. On one hand, weve moved the issue of disparate sentencing for two forms of the same drug forward, restoring some integrity to our criminal justice system. But, on the other hand, the Senate, by reducing the 100 to 1 disparity to 18 to 1, instead of eliminating it, has proven how difficult it is to ensure racial justice, even in 2010.
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