DOJ to reexamine crack cocaine penalties
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNN) - Attorney General Merrick Garland is changing the sentencing guidelines for people convicted of crimes involving crack cocaine.
He's making it more in line with convictions for powder cocaine.
Garland sent out a memo to federal prosecutors Friday.
He says the disparities between the two drugs is not supported by science and has led to harsher sentences for people of color.
The new policy will become effective in 30 days.
Civil rights organizations pushed for decades to end the harsher sentences for possessing crack cocaine.
On Friday, the head of the NAACP said the announcement helps restore faith in the criminal justice system for Black Americans.
