NCJ Number
155324
Date Published
1995
Length
263 pages
Annotation
This report studies Federal sentencing policy as it relates to the possession and distribution of all forms of cocaine. Specifically, the report answers questions posed by Congress regarding the current Federal structure of differing penalties for powder cocaine and crack cocaine offenses, and provides recommendations on retaining or modifying these differences.
Abstract
The empirical research findings summarized in this report relate to pharmacology, forms of cocaine, routes of administration, time to maximum effect, physiological and psychotropic effects of cocaine, addiction, usage trends, importation, evolution of the crack market, forums for distribution, marketability, cost/dosage comparisons, role of juveniles and women, violence, HIV/sexually transmitted disease transmission, effects on fetus, maternal neglect, State distinctions, prosecutorial discretion, demographic/offender information, and race. The report identifies several issues vis-a-vis sentencing trends: racial disparity, quantifying harm, level within the drug chain, and societal concerns. In considering the final sentencing scheme for cocaine, the U.S. Sentencing Commission will take into account the form of cocaine involved, use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, bodily injury or death to another person, quantity of cocaine involved, extent to which the offense involved systematic crime, extent to which the offense involved societal harms, involvement of minors, defendant's previous criminal record, and any other aggravating or mitigating factors. Chapter notes, 3 appendices, and 279 references