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 201…
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Response rates from 2.1k 21075 voters.
41% Yes |
59% No |
28% Yes |
59% No |
13% Yes, but only for drug dealers, not users |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 2.1k 21075 voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 2.1k 21075 voters.
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Unique answers from 21075 voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@8PPBWMZ4yrs4Y
All drugs should be legalized at a federal level
@8PJJPVK4yrs4Y
Yes, but only for drug dealers and for users there should be a mandatory rehab sentence.
@9DZSN4Z1yr1Y
No, users should be put into some kind of institution specifically for them, and for dealers it should depend on the drug
@9D9TN4F1yr1Y
No, unless a violent crime is committed, and if so, punitive measures should be related to the violent crime and not drug possession
@8GP94TL4yrs4Y
I think less prison time for offenses like this and maximum for rapists , pedophiles , child abusers , etc
@8XQT4ZN3yrs3Y
All drugs should be legal so this is irrelevant
@8HB997P4yrs4Y
No, most drugs should be legalized and the population left to sort itself out. Jail should only be used for people infringing on OTHERS' rights.
@8SFTKXH4yrs4Y
Yes, but I would prefer if they were sentenced to death
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