It is an offense to possess or distribute even the smallest amount of cocaine. For example, even if there is a trace amount of cocaine found in a baggie, you can still be charged with possession of a cocaine which is a felony. In the federal system, the penalties for cocaine base (crack cocaine) are notoriously severe. In fact, the sentences for possession of cocaine base were so severe, especially in comparison with possession of an equal amount of powder cocaine, that the United States Sentencing Commission recently amended the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to slightly reduce the penalties for crack cocaine offenses.
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