Saving Capitalism, by Robert Reich: on Drugs

Robert Reich: End sentencing disparity of powder cocaine vs. crack

Buried within the rules are assumptions reflecting the status and power of different groups in society. Powder cocaine, for example, is the drug of choice for many in the elite, while crack cocaine is used by the poor. They are two forms of the same prohibited drug, but before 2010, those who sold or purchased crack cocaine faced sentences one hundred times longer than those caught using the powdered form. This was part of the reason African Americans served as much time in prison for nonviolent drug offenses as whites did for violent offenses. In 2010, Congress enacted the Fair Sentencing Act, reducing the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine to eighteen to one. Source: Saving Capitalism, by Robert Reich, p. 50 May 3, 2016

Robert Reich: Prohibition failed in 1920s; marijuana ban fails now

Prohibition of alcohol was a notorious failure in the 1920s, just as bans on the purchase and sale of marijuana are today. Black markets are inherently risky and dangerous since illegal contracts can only be enforced through violence, or the threat of violence (which is an argument for regulating sales of things that attract eager buyers but pose minimal harm to the public, rather than trying to prevent them altogether). Source: Saving Capitalism, by Robert Reich, p. 51 May 3, 2016

The above quotations are from Saving Capitalism For the Many, Not the Few by Robert B. Reich. Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by Robert Reich on Drugs. Click here for more quotes by John Boehner on Drugs.
*2020 Presidential contenders on Drugs:*
	*Democrats running for President:* Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO) V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE) Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC) Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT) Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ) Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Rep.John Delaney (D-MD) Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA) Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT) CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA) Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Marianne Williamson (D-CA) CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY) *2020 Third Party Candidates:* Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI) CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Howie Hawkins (G-NY) ~~Gov.Gary Johnson~~(L-NM) ~~Howard Schultz~~(I-WA) Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)	*Republicans running for President:* ~~Sen.Ted Cruz~~(R-TX) ~~Gov.Larry Hogan~~ (R-MD) ~~Gov.John Kasich~~(R-OH) V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) ~~Gov.Mark Sanford~~ (R-SC) Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY) Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL) Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY) *2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:* Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA) Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC) Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK) Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO) Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA) Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL) Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA) Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX) Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA) Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA) Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: May 03, 2021