AMENDMENT 320
Section 2D1.6 is amended by deleting "12" and inserting in lieu thereof: "the offense level applicable to the underlying offense.".
The Commentary to §2D1.6 is amended by inserting, immediately before "Background", the following:
"Application Note:
1. Where the offense level for the underlying offense is to be determined by reference to §2D1.1, see Application Note 12 of the Commentary to §2D1.1, and Application Notes 1 and 2 of the Commentary to §2D1.4, for guidance in determining the scale of the offense. Note that the Drug Quantity Table in §2D1.1 provides a minimum offense level of 12 where the offense involves heroin (or other Schedule I or II Opiates), cocaine (or other Schedule I or II Stimulants), cocaine base, PCP, Methamphetamine, LSD (or other Schedule I or II Hallucinogens), Fentanyl, or Fentanyl Analogue (§2D1.1(c)(16)); and a minimum offense level of 6 otherwise (§2D1.1(c)(19)).".
Reason for Amendment: This amendment is designed to reduce unwarranted disparity by requiring consideration in the guideline of the amount of the controlled substance involved in the offense, thus conforming this guideline section to the structure of §§2D1.1, 2D1.2, 2D1.4, and 2D1.5. The statute to which this guideline applies (21 U.S.C. § 843(b)) prohibits the use of a communications facility to commit, cause, or facilitate a felony controlled substance offense. Frequently, a conviction under this statute is the result of a plea bargain because the statute has a low maximum (four years with no prior felony drug conviction; eight years with a prior felony drug conviction) and no mandatory minimum. The current guideline has a base offense level of 12 and no specific offense characteristics. Therefore, the scale of the underlying drug offense is not reflected in the guideline. This results in a departure from the guideline range frequently being warranted. Without guidance as to whether or how far to depart, the potential for unwarranted disparity is substantial. Under this amendment, the guideline itself will take into account the scale of the underlying offense.
Effective Date: The effective date of this amendment is November 1, 1990.