03.29.06 -
U.S. Anabolic Steroid Punishments Increased! The U.S. Sentencing Commission has published notice of temporary "emergency" (i.e., immediate) amendments to the federal anabolic steroid sentencing guidelines. Henceforth, injectable and oral steroids will be quantified for punishment in a 1:1 ratio to other Schedule III drugs, resulting in a
twenty-fold measurement increase for injectable steroid units and a
fifty-fold increase for oral steroid units. Steroids in other forms ("e.g., patch, topical cream, aerosol") will be reasonably estimated based on a consideration of 25mg as one unit. Additionally, sentencing enhancements will apply in cases involving distribution to "athletes" or where coaches use their positions to influence athletes to use steroids, as well as in cases involving "masking agents." It is expected that the revisions will be made permanent by Congress in November. [For further information, see the
written testimony of Rick Collins to the Sentencing Commission, the
transcript of his appearance before the Commisssion, the
Report of the USSC Steroids Working Group, and the
Commission's Notice of Amendment to the guidelines.]
