I love words. Depending on how you use them you
can alienate people, draw them in, repulse them
or endear them to you.
I had this in mind when Filthy Dubois pointed out that
most of the non violent offenders in jail for selling crack are users
as well. They sell just enough to support their habit and make
a living. I began to reflect on the fact that NONE of the
articles on the crack cocaine sentencing disparity
actually mentioned the street value of 5 grams of crack.
So I set out to find out how much 5 grams of crack was worth,
I turned to my resident reformed d-boy.
MM: How much is 5 grams of crack?That's when I realized, no one has pointed out the dollar
Dig Dug: Well there are 28 grams in a ounce, which is about $500.
Did the math, divided 500/28 which came to 17.8x5= $89.5.
MM:Are you serious? So people are getting 5 years for roughly
$90 dollars worth of crack? And then that still depends on
whether there is a markup.
DD: Why you wanna know?
MM: I have been following the crack/coke sentencing disparity
cases.
DD: I heard about that. They were talking about it on the radio.
MM: One of my homies pointed out that a lot of people in jail
for selling crack, are primarily users, so I am trying to figure out
the street value of 5 grams. Besides, folks are lobbying the
the sentencing commission to revise the crack sentencing rules.
DD: Is this a new law?
MM: Nah, its not a new law, its just that a couple of judges have decided two
cases that would impact the way other judges give out sentences.
Congress would have to change the law, which is highly unlikely.
DD: Will that affect me, I have probation left?
MM: I dunno. I can check. What is the street value or cost of 500
grams of cocaine.
DD: Man.{sighs} A whole lot of money.
amount. Grams and ounces don't resonate with the average
everyday citizen, but dollars do.
The anti-drug war folks missed a critical opportunity to
change the way the public perceived the war on drugs.
They could have used the language to pull the folks
in by describing it in terms that were readily accessible.
I am this close, **hold up two fingers, to becoming a crack
and rehabilitation lobbyist, trill talk.
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Did you know that it took only $90 worth of crack to get you 5 years?
What do you think of that?
Why doesn't anyone talk about this issue in those terms?
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