NATION IN BRIEF : MINNESOTA : High Court Says Crack Law Is Biased
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Minnesota’s Supreme Court upheld a ruling that a state law discriminates against blacks by imposing stiffer penalties for possession of crack than for possessing similar amounts of powdered cocaine. The 6-1 decision upholds a ruling by Hennepin County District Judge Pamela Alexander, who dismissed drug charges against five black men in December, 1990. Justices found little hard evidence to support a distinction between the two substances. Therefore, stricter penalties for possession of crack, which is used primarily by blacks, violates state equal protection provisions, the court said.
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