Good! There is no justification for the current sentencing structure that treats one tgram of crack equivalent to 100 grams of cocaine. Long overdue.
crack was a major problem in the 80s, far worse than cocaine, so yes, there is justification... Drop in Homicide Rate Linked to Crack's Decline The Justice Department report, commissioned by Attorney General Janet Reno, acknowledges that improved police work, along with longer prison sentences and improved emergency medical care, have all contributed to the lower homicide rate. Drop in Homicide Rate Linked to Crack's Decline - The New York Times
Probably because of the racial implications of the 100 to 1 policy on crack vs. powdered cocaine. Because blacks tended to use crack and whites powdered, blacks were getting far longer prison sentences for the same amount of cocaine.
the law is neutral as to race. just because blacks used a drug more does not make the law racist. the law worked as i posted above. if obama is successful in getting the sentences reduced, i only hope we don't go back to the 1980's homicide levels as i posted above.
Otherwise nuetral rules and laws can have a discriminatory effect if they focus on attributes associate with one race.
I'll bet MLK would be proud: "I have a dream, that one day whites will be sentenced to the same prison term as blacks for drug possession".