Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jul 2014
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: David Urman
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n561/a05.html

CRACK IN ARTICLE?

Re "Crack (law) is wack" by Raheem F. Hosseini (SN&R News, July
3):

Raheem F. Hosseini's article on reforms proposing to end the disparity
in sentencing laws for crack cocaine, as opposed to cocaine in powder
form, is interesting reading. Yet in some respects, the article's
claims seem questionable, based on the information provided within the
article itself.

With respect to mandatory-minimum sentences for possession with intent
to sell, the article cites three to five years for crack, vs. two to
four years for powder. These are the only figures given comparing
prison terms for crack vs. powder, and they do show a disparity, but
hardly the "exponentially longer prison terms" claimed earlier on.

Hosseini is a good reporter who has contributed many intelligent,
perceptive, well-written articles to SN&R. This one could perhaps have
been thought out a bit more clearly.

David Urman

Sacramento
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MAP posted-by: Matt