NCJ Number
201061
Date Published
May 2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This report prepared by the United States Sentencing Commission provides an explanation of amendments to the Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000 regarding MDMA drug offenses and guideline penalties.
Abstract
Under the Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000, the United States Sentencing Commission was challenged with establishing a stringent penalty structure, while still allowing the sentencing guidelines to draw adequate penalty distinctions between drug offenders based on their functional role. Due to MDMA seriousness and unique properties, setting an appropriate penalty structure was a challenge. This report to Congress provides an explanation of recent guideline amendments in relation to MDMA drug offenses. The report is divided into six sections: (1) an introduction; (2) an explanation of guideline amendments promulgated for drug offenses; (3) estimated impact of the amendment; (4) MDMA characteristics; (5) additional factors the Act directed the Commission to consider when establishing the appropriate revised penalty for MDMA trafficking offenses; and (6) conclusion. The revised guideline penalties for MDMA offenses generally provide 5-year sentences for serious MDMA traffickers and 10-year sentences for high-level traffickers. The Commission believes these guidelines are appropriately and sufficiently severe to target serious and high-level MDMA traffickers, providing appropriate punishment, deterrence, and incentives for cooperation.