Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine. The catalyst for the passage of federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws in the 1980s. The death of basketball star Len Bias from a cocaine overdose set Congress into motion, and it quickly enacted laws that removed individualization from the sentencing process. Crack was treated 100 times more harshly than powder cocaine for sentencing purposes, resulting in unjust sentences, severe racial disparity, and excessive costs to taxpayers. In 2007 and 2011, FAMM helped achieve historic changes to federal crack cocaine laws. More work must be done, but these changes have helped thousands of people receive sentence reductions.

Federal Crack Laws and Background:

• Federal mandatory minimum drug sentences: 21 USC 841
• Federal mandatory minimum drug sentences: Continuing criminal enterprise 
• A brief history of crack cocaine sentencing laws
• The history of mandatory minimums in the 1980s and 1970s

FAMM Victories: Changes to Federal Crack Laws:

• FAQ: The 2007 "crack minus two" retroactive guideline amendment
• FAQ:  The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010
• FAQ:  The 2011 retroactive crack guideline amendment
• FAQ:  The 2012 Dorsey decision and crack pipeline cases

Learn more:

• Track federal bills affecting this issue on FAMM's Bills in Congress page.
• Take action. Contact your members of Congress about sentencing.