#Cocaine into crack crack#
Sentencing differences for Cocaine vs Crack Possessionįor the last several decades, crack and cocaine possession have been treated very differently in court.It also gained a reputation for high use in minority groups, though this is not necessarily the case. Because of its lower price point, it became prevalent in low-income areas throughout the U.S. Crack gained popularity in the 1980s as a less-expensive substitute for Cocaine.
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When crack cocaine is smoked, the effects kick in almost instantaneously and usually last under ten minutes.Ĭocaine is notoriously associated with corporate America and has been called the “rich man’s drug.” It is especially expensive because the high it creates is so short-lived. Snorting or orally ingesting cocaine takes a few minutes for the high to set in, which then lasts anywhere from 10-30 minutes. Therefore, those addicted individuals who are incarcerated for the sale or possession of cocaine are better served by treatment than prison.Several factors differentiate crack from cocaine:Ĭrack produces an immediate but much shorter-lasting high than pure powder cocaine. Although crack cocaine has been linked with crime to a greater extent than cocaine hydrochloride, many of these crimes are associated with the addiction to cocaine. Based on these findings, the federal sentencing guidelines allowing possession of 100 times more cocaine hydrochloride than crack cocaine to trigger mandatory minimum penalties is deemed excessive. Furthermore, cocaine hydrochloride used intranasally may be a gateway drug or behavior to using crack cocaine. The crucial variables appear to be the immediacy, duration, and magnitude of cocaine's effect, as well as the frequency and amount of cocaine used rather than the form of the cocaine. However, evidence exists showing a greater abuse liability, greater propensity for dependence, and more severe consequences when cocaine is smoked (cocaine-base) or injected intravenously (cocaine hydrochloride) compared with intranasal use (cocaine hydrochloride). The physiological and psychoactive effects of cocaine are similar regardless of whether it is in the form of cocaine hydrochloride or crack cocaine (cocaine base). Studies were reviewed to obtain information on the composition of the 2 forms of cocaine, and the prevalence, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, abuse liability, pattern of use, and consequences across the various routes of cocaine administration and forms of cocaine.Ĭocaine hydrochloride is readily converted to base prior to use. Only those articles that compared various routes of cocaine administration or types of cocaine (cocaine base or crack cocaine vs cocaine hydrochloride) were examined.
#Cocaine into crack manual#
To review and discuss the differences and similarities between the use of crack cocaine and cocaine hydrochloride and to determine how these findings might affect policies on the imprisonment and treatment of cocaine users.Įnglish-language publications were identified through a computerized search (using MEDLINE) between 19 using the search terms "smoked cocaine," "crack cocaine," "freebase," and "cocaine-base." In addition, manual searches were conducted on references cited in original research articles, reviews, and an annotated bibliography, and on selected journals.