The federal sentencing guidelines were adjusted in 2007 and 2008 due to the racial disparity of sentencing of this particular drug.

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The federal sentencing guidelines were adjusted in 2007 and 2008 due to the racial disparity of sentencing of crack cocaine. The disparity was that individuals possessing crack cocaine were more likely to receive longer sentences than those possessing powder cocaine, even though the two drugs are pharmacologically similar. This disparity disproportionately affected Black defendants and was seen as discriminatory. As a result, the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 reduced the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine from 100:1 to 18:1.

The Federal Sentencing Guidelines Were Adjusted in 2007 and 2008