Mandatory minimum sentences are automatic, minimum prison terms set by Congress. Judges in the U.S. are required to base their sentences on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, mandatory minimum sentencing laws, or both. In 1986 the U.S. Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act which enacted new mandatory minimum sentences for drugs. People caught with 5 grams of crack cocaine were given jail sentences of 5 years without parole (the same sentence as people caught with 500 grams). The legislation was in response to the moral panic involving the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980’s. In 2010 Congress and President Obama eliminated the crack cocaine mandatory sentence with the passage of the Fair Sentencing Act. Opponents of mandatory minimum sentences argue that they often impose long prison terms on non-violent criminals. Proponents argue that the sentences are designed to help judges punish drug cartels and those responsible for the country’s drug epidemic.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs
Yes, but only for drug dealers, not users
@8PPBWMZ2yrs
All drugs should be legalized at a federal level
@8XQT4ZN12mos
All drugs should be legal so this is irrelevant
@8GQSF752yrs
It depends on what type of drug it is, if they are a drug dealer, if they are selling it to kids and harming others, etc.
joe biden wants to decriminalize all drugs this isn’t even correct.
@97ZZW3Z1hr
Yes, as long as they are fair. Someone caring 5g should not serve the same sentence as someone caring 500g. The lower the amount, the lower the sentence.
@97ZX8C7Republican10hrs
Not necessarily but every situation is different
@97ZSPB318hrs
Yes, but only for drug dealer who deal incredibly dangerous drugs
@97ZQZWY1 day
No. and end the prohibition on drugs.
yes, but the prison system should be changed to be more of help based to get users off hard drugs through support and provide opportunities for people to get skills to get jobs.
@97Z6B5GRepublican4 days
Only for fentanyl and meth
No, non-violent users of the most lethal street drugs should be sentenced to mandatory participation in a rehabilitation center instead
@97YWWNY5 days
No, we should create more robust rehabilitation avenues to help them get and remain clean
@97YVDZ95 days
Yes, but only for hard substances.
@97YQNZR5 days
No, each case is specific
@97YMLFZ6 days
Yes but I also think it depends on the situation. Maybe after multiple offenses.
@97YLKYD6 days
Not for marijuana, but everything else yes
@97YLK3Y6 days
It depends on the severity of the drug possesion and how far they went with it
@97YJF3M6 days
yes for dealers, but users should be sent to mandatory rehab centers
@97YFYFS6 days
Depends on the drugs and the status of the person possessing it.
@97YFWCV6 days
There should be rehabilitation centers to help them and not punish them because they will just get back to doing drugs again once they are out of their minimum prison sentences.
@97Y38LMLibertarian7 days
No, but they should be entered into rehab services.
@97XZXTG7 days
the person should be getting a longer on because if they wernt selling then that person could posably not be doing it
@97XZXR8Republican7 days
I think if you are selling and not using your sentance should be shorter. If you are using you should get longer sentance.
@97XZXLR7 days
no and put them in a rehab.
@97XPGHQ1wk
No, I support maximum sentences.
No, and decriminalize drugs nationally
Depends on what drug it is, how much they had, what they are doing with it, if it is a danger to them or other people, whether they are a repeat offender, etc... There shouldn't be a mandatory minimum because no one case is exactly like another.
No, and retroactively release all prisoners on drug-related charges.
No, but if there's an excessive use, submit them to rehab
@97X3D491wk
No, instead of jail time, give them governmentally provided and required rehabilitation time.
@97X37SP1wk
There needs to be time for users to go through withdrawal and rehab. They deserve a wake up call that a minimum sentence can give them.
@97WZNSM1wk
Dealers should be thrown in jail. Also depends what drug a person that got caught having.
@97WSRWS1wk
No, they should serve the maximum sentence
@97WPYT61wk
Yes, but it depends on how long they have had to drugs and if they have harmed others.
@97WNPDK1wk
yes but it depends on the drug, how old they are and how much they have
@97WNNVW1wk
They should have the ability to get rehab instead of jail.
@97WNLTT1wk
I think instead they should be in mandatory free rehab
@97WNFRM1wk
It depends on case to case, generally, I think it should be the means necessary to ensure no further drug possession.
Depends on what drug it is and what they are doing with it or of it is a danger to them or other people.
no, but they need to have a mandatory meeting to help with their drug use
depend on drug and amount
@97WFG8D1wk
Depends on the drug. Marijuana should not have a mandatory prison sentence.
@97W5YZ22wks
I personally believe that people can be, and sometimes will be forced to use drugs or carry drugs on them. On the other hand if they have multiple charges of drug possession and they get away with a couple years in jail they will not just learn their lesson.
@97VPR942wks
Users should be able to go through reform programs during and also after they’re time spent in prison which shouldn’t be too long because they are also victims.
If the person is actively using drugs, they should be sent to a rehabilitation cneter, and if thy are just selling drugs, they should be charged with possession
@97V7GRR2wks
No, sentencing should be based on the amount in possession with no mandatory minimum
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