EQUAL Act

The EQUAL Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 1062, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address disparities in sentencing for offenses involving crack cocaine versus powder cocaine.

Currently, there is a significant disparity in the sentencing guidelines for these two forms of cocaine, with offenses involving crack cocaine carrying much harsher penalties than those involving powder cocaine. This has disproportionately affected minority communities, as crack cocaine is more commonly used in these communities.

The EQUAL Act seeks to address this disparity by equalizing the sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses. This would mean that individuals convicted of offenses involving crack cocaine would no longer face significantly harsher penalties than those convicted of offenses involving powder cocaine. Supporters of the bill argue that this change is necessary to ensure fairness and equity in the criminal justice system. They believe that the current sentencing disparities are unjust and contribute to racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Opponents of the bill may argue that equalizing the sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine and powder cocaine could lead to an increase in drug-related crimes. They may also argue that the current sentencing guidelines are necessary to deter individuals from using and selling crack cocaine. Overall, the EQUAL Act is a significant piece of legislation that aims to address disparities in sentencing for drug offenses. Its passage would represent a step towards a more equitable and fair criminal justice system.