Discussion 3–Criminal Sentencing
Program-Level Objectives met with this assignment:

Communication 
Critical Thinking Skills
Personal Responsibility 
Social Responsibility 

Course-Level Objectives met with this assignment:

Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government.
Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens
Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics

Activity for Assessment:
For this discussion, we are going to look at another controversial issue: drug penalties and criminal sentencing.  Read the following articles and then do any additional research as necessary and then answer the following questions:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/03/26/heres-how-much-marijuana-youd-need-to-be-eligible-for-the-death-penalty-under-federal-law/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.9c3ed2efebf7
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-overwhelmingly-backs-overhaul-of-criminal-justice-system/2018/12/18/89efffb6-02e7-11e9-9122-82e98f91ee6f_story.html?utm_term=.a62afbaf883a

https://thecrimereport.org/2019/06/10/first-step-act-cut-sentences-for-1051-fed-prisoners-in-four-months-report/ 
After reading through these articles and any other research you’ve conducted, what are your thoughts on the current drug penalty laws?  Do they seem “fair” in light of other crimes, such as murder, rape, kidnapping, etc?  (use research to backup your argument)  How has the war on drugs impacted prison populations?  Are there any dangers associated with the drug penalties and prison overpopulation?  What about the cost to the states and taxpayers?  Are we not tough enough on drugs?  What are the states and federal government doing to address these issues? Do you agree with the suggestions from Congress and the President? Why or why not? How will the new First Step Act going to impact this issue?  Lastly, how does the U.S. differ from other developed countries with respect to this issue?
Please be sure to meet the requirements for posting in the discussion board.  For more specifics, please refer to to the directions provided in the Start Here tab in eCampus. Do not forget your works cited.  Since the above-mentioned web links/articles are all required for this discussion, you must include them in your works cited.  Any additional research must be included in your sources as well.