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Robert Byck, MD
Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, Conn

JAMA. 1997;277(6):457.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.

—Differences between crack cocaine and cocaine hydrochloride were accepted until the discovery that blacks were disproportionately convicted for possession of crack (a form of cocaine hydrochloride). This led to charges that the law was discriminatory¹ and that the disparity between the weight of cocaine hydrochloride and the weight of crack needed to trigger mandatory sentences was based on "mythical" differences. The review by Hatsukami and Fischman¹ addresses this issue.

That crack and cocaine hydrochloride are ultimately the same substance is irrelevant. Lead can be found in bullets or in printer's type. The intent of the user not the chemical composition of the material is the relevant information for the legal system.

The weight of material held by the person accused of possession serves only as a metaphor for intent. A greater weight implies an intent to distribute. A smaller amount implies that the drug is for personal use. There . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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