Clinton OKs Reform of Crack, Coke Penalties

President Clinton on Tuesday approved his attorney general’s proposal to reduce the huge differences between sentences for selling crack and powdered cocaine and turned the plan over to an uncertain fate in Congress.

The plan by Atty. Gen. Janet Reno and drug policy advisor Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, would lower the difference in sentencing for the two different forms of cocaine to a 10-1 ratio.

That means the mandatory five-year sentence for selling 25 grams of crack also would apply to dealing 250 grams of powder cocaine. Current law sets a five-year sentence for selling 5 grams of crack or 500 grams of cocaine, a 100-1 ratio.

Critics of the disparate sentences say they are unfair to minorities who possess crack. Others say crack is far more addictive than powder.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said the White House plan is “not good enough. Crack wouldn’t be crack without powdered cocaine.”

Rep. Bill McCollum (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on crime, expressed concern that the proposal would reduce crack cocaine penalties.

McCaffrey said he believes the plan will get a favorable hearing in Congress because of the exorbitant cost of keeping thousands of people in prison for low-level drug crimes.