US high court eases drug sentences
Ruling could increase pressure for overhaul of crack-cocaine sentencing practices.

Published On 11 Dec 2007
In a related ruling, the court also supported the right of judges to depart from sentencing guidelines in a case involving distribution of the drug ecstasy.
The decisions come a day before the agency that sets guidelines for federal sentences is to vote on whether to make retroactive a reduction in recommended crack-cocaine penalties.
There is also pressure in the US congress to revise a 1986 law mandating longer sentences for crack, which is considered more addictive than powder cocaine and a source of street violence.
Source: News Agencies