Law
Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986
Federal anti-drug law that established harsh mandatory minimum sentences, including the 100-to-1 crack versus powder cocaine sentencing disparity.
Year
1986
Impact
Negative
Status
Active
Party
Republican Party
Era
Contemporary Era
Impact Context
Contributed to major racial disparities in federal sentencing and incarceration, especially affecting Black communities.
What This Policy Did
Contributed to major racial disparities in federal sentencing and incarceration, especially affecting Black communities.
Evidence and Linked Records
John Lewis Voting Access Restoration Act
Critical • Idea • 2 linked bills
Criminal Justice Reparations and Sentencing Equity Act
High • Idea • 1 linked bills
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Sources
United States Sentencing Commission • Government
Federal sentencing policy context
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights • Government • Jan 1, 1991
USCCR report discussing the crack versus powder cocaine sentencing disparity created by the 1986 law and its disproportionate impact on Black communities.
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights • Government • Jan 1, 1999
USCCR report describing how drug policies and sentencing practices deepened racial disparities in incarceration and community outcomes.
U.S. Department of Justice • Government
DOJ memorandum summarizing the old crack cocaine mandatory minimum thresholds that originated under the 1986 law and were later reduced by the Fair Sentencing Act.