Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 Encodes 100:1 Crack Sentencing Disparity

Reagan signs the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, establishing mandatory minimum sentences with a 100:1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine: 5 grams of crack triggers a 5-year mandatory minimum, versus 500 grams of powder. Sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel and Sen. Lawton Chiles among others, the Senate passes it 97–2. Since 80% of federal crack defendants are Black, the law produces racially discriminatory outcomes by design.