Jun 18th, 2009
Posted by Ian Thompson, ACLU at 11:32am	Criminal Justice, Criminal Law Reform, Defending Targets of Discrimination

Moving with "Dispatch" to Crack the Disparity

Yesterday, Attorney General Holder appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a semiannual check-up (a.k.a. congressional oversight). Attorney General Holder was questioned about a many issues of interest to the ACLU. However, there was one question and answer that left me feeling cautiously hopeful.

In response to a fairly lengthy question from Senator Durbin (D-Ill.), Attorney General Holder said it was his hope that Congress would move with "dispatch" to eliminate the notorious and racially discriminatory crack sentencing disparity this year.

The Obama Department of Justice has previously testified in support of eliminating the crack sentencing disparity, but hopefully the comments of Attorney General Holder today will finally light the necessary fire under the tail feathers of certain Members of Congress. Early indications are promising. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy (D-Vt.) immediately responded by saying that it was his hope to see Congress act this year to end the more than two-decade "crack" in our justice system.

Additionally, it is very likely that we will soon see Congress begin the process of moving legislation that would finally correct this injustice. ACLU members and activists should act now to contact their representatives to let them know that this is an issue that demands their attention. Two decades are too long to wait. Our prisons are too crowded. We are spending too much money on an effective, unfair policy. It is time for Congress to move with the necessary "dispatch" to right this wrong!

Permalink |	Criminal Justice, Criminal Law Reform, Defending Targets of Discrimination

1. no common sence Says:
   Jul 16th, 2009 at 12:02am

   its time the aclu quit defendind terrorist inmates and drug users what about the children caught in the middle of medical merijuana drug sales and we all know there selling it what kind of messages are we sendind to or next generation set at home and sell drugs.what happened to go to college and have a good life sorry but i cant stand behind the aclu they only stand for the bad. send a message dont support this cause any longer let or children have a future. say no to the ACLU and give or children a future.

2. bill Says:
   Oct 16th, 2009 at 7:33pm

   The drug laws of this country are a mess. They were enacted out of hysteria,
   ignorance,fear,illogical suppositions, professional jealousy of physicians and presume often to tell physicians what they can prescribe or not prescribe.

   I am in favor or regulation and proper drug use but not at the expense of the medical care of a patients who might benefit from a substance that is currently banned. An example is Marijuana---when THC is, as it should be, adminstered in titrated solution form or in pill form it is of benefit to cancer patients and persons with glaucoma. However,when adminstered in the recreational pathway--i.e. smoking--it is very harmful and should be banned just as opiates are if taken recreationally. Yet the feds will arrest someone and their physician who is using THC properly as though they were doing it recreationally.

   Is it not strange that the very people who get on the hysteria bandwagon about drug abuse are often addicted to substance abuse themselves---mostly tobacco--which is far more addictive than opiates. I know about tobacco addiction first hand because my late mother was so addicted to tobacco that she often would spend all her social security money on cartons of cigarettes and when I would go over --there would be no food in this house.

   The laws need to be revised--and I know I am preaching to the choir in stating this.