Sensible Sentencing Reform: The 2014 Drug Guidelines Amendment
This document provides background information on the Commission's unanimous decision in April 2014 to reduce sentencing guidelines for most federal drug trafficking offenders.
In July 2014, the Commission voted, again unanimously, to make this sentencing reduction retroactive. Congress did not act to modify or disapprove the change, so the amendment became effective on November 1, 2014. Courts can now consider motions for retroactive sentence reductions, but no prisoners may be released based on this reduction prior to November 1, 2015.