Crack possession triggered far harsher federal sentences than equal powder cocaine amounts

Evidence

A dealer charged with trafficking 400 grams of powder, worth approximately 40,000, could receive a shorter sentence than a user he supplied with crack valued at 500. Crack is also the only drug that carries a mandatory prison sentence for first offense possession. A person convicted in federal court of possession of 5 grams of crack automatically receives a 5 year prison term. A person convicted of possessing 5 grams of powder cocaine will probably receive a probation sentence. The maximum sentence for simple possession of any other drug, including powder cocaine, is 1 year in jail. — Dorothy A. Brown, Getting to Reparations, 412