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April 30, 2009

Obama Backs Lowering Mandatory Minimums in Crack Sentences
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The Obama administration is backing calls to lower the mandatory minimum
prison sentence for dealing crack cocaine to match the punishment for
dealing powder cocaine. Under current law, possession of five grams of
crack cocaine triggers the same mandatory minimum sentence as possession
of 500 grams of powder cocaine. The disparity has disproportionately
punished African American drug offenders, who account for more than 80
percent of crack cocaine cases. Wednesday’s announcement marked the
first time the White House has backed calls to lower minimum drug
sentences.



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