UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION

81 FR 92021

Proposed Amendments for Amendment Cycle

AGENCY: United States Sentencing Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed amendments to sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. Request for public comment, including public comment regarding retroactive application of any of the proposed amendments. Notice of public hearing.

SUMMARY: In August 2016, the Commission indicated that one of its priorities would be the “[s]tudy of offenses involving MDMA/Ecstasy, synthetic cannabinoids (such as JWH-018 and AM-2201), and synthetic cathinones (such as Methylone, MDPV, and Mephedrone), and consideration of any amendments to the Guidelines Manual that may be appropriate in light of the information obtained from such study.” See 81 FR 58004 (Aug. 24, 2016). As part of its statutory authority and responsibility to analyze sentencing issues, including operation of the federal sentencing guidelines, the United States Sentencing Commission is publishing this issue for comment to inform the Commission’s consideration of the issues related to this policy priority. The issue for comment is set forth in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION portion of this notice.

DATES: Public comment regarding the issue for comment set forth in this notice should be received by the Commission not later than March 10, 2017

ADDRESSES: All written comment should be sent to the Commission by electronic mail or regular mail. The email address for public comment is Public_Comment@ussc.gov. The regular mail address for public comment is United States Sentencing Commission, One Columbus Circle, N.E., Suite 2-500, Washington, D.C. 20002-8002, Attention: Public Affairs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Leonard, Director, Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, (202) 502-4500, pubaffairs@ussc.gov.

Patti B. Saris

Chair