Changes in Federal Sentencing

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is going to give thousands of drug offenders an opportunity to reduce their sentences. Yesterday’s move is in reaction to the disparate manner in which federal law handles persons dealing in powder cocaine vis‐​a‐​vis persons dealing in crack cocaine. This is a modest step in the right direction. The drug war represents a gross misallocation of limited resources (police, courts, jails) and it should be ended immediately.


For Cato work on the drug war, go here. For Cato work on federal sentencing, go here. For more information on yesterday’s development, go to Families Against Mandatory Minimums.