Crack/Powder Cocaine Disparity

Clarence Aaron

Why Is Clarence Aaron Still in Federal Prison? [FEATURE]

Is the Office of the Pardon Attorney, which recommends to the president who should win pardons or commutations, doing its job? The case of Clarence Aaron suggests it is not, and advocates are crying foul.

Some cocaine is still more equal than other under a Missouri bill, but there is less of a sentencing disparity. (wikimedia.org)

Missouri House Approves Crack Cocaine Sentencing Reform

Missouri has the most extreme crack vs. powder cocaine sentencing disparity in the nation, but a bill that passed the House Thursday would reduce it. The bill still has to get through the Senate.

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The Top Ten Domestic US Drug Policy Stories of 2011 [FEATURE]

2011 was a busy year in drug policy. Here is our selection of the biggest stories of the year here at home.

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Supreme Court Takes Up Crack "Pipeline" Sentencing Cases

Should people convicted of federal crack offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act was in effect, but sentenced after it was in effect, be sentenced under the new law or not? The US Supreme Court says it will decide.

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Federal Crack Cocaine Prisoners Start Coming Home [FEATURE]

The first hundreds of what could be more than 12,000 federal crack offenders to win retroactive sentence reductions began walking out of federal prisons Tuesday, but there is much more work to do.

uphill climb for reform this year

Drug Policy Prospects on Capitol Hill This Year [FEATURE]

Between now and the seating of a new Congress after the 2012 elections, drug reform is going to be a tough slog on Capitol Hill. But that doesn't mean reformers are going away, or that there aren't battles to be fought and won.

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ALERT: Congress Must Pass Sentencing Reform

Congress took a modest step last year to reforming the draconian federal sentences it put in place 25 years ago for drug offenses. More is needed, and your help is needed to make that happen.

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One-Year Anniversary of the Fair Sentencing Act

[image:1 align:left]The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 was signed a year ago today, providing the first relief for federal crack cocaine defendants. Sentencing reform, civil rights and racial justice advocates had worked on the issue for nearly 20 years.

Federal Correctional Institution Milan, Milan, Michigan. Soon there will be room at the inn. (Image: Wikimedia.org)

Federal Crack Prisoners Will Get Sentence Cuts [FEATURE]

A lot of federal crack prisoners are going to get out early after the US Sentencing Commission made sentencing guideline amendments reducing crack sentences retroactive. That's a big deal.

The Supreme Court says "cocaine base" means more than just crack. (Image via Wikimedia.org)

Supreme Court Holds Crack Penalties Apply to "Cocaine Base"

The US Supreme Court has ruled that the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act means exactly what it says when it comes to "cocaine base."

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