Hey Sound-Savvy readers, I got educated on a very important topic today: The Rockefeller Drug Laws. They're a set of laws enacted in the 70's in the state of NY to govern the sentencing of drug-related crimes which include usage, sales and violent crimes by offenders under the influence of drugs. These laws provide for harsh sentencing penalties for non-violent offenders and prevent diversion of drug users or sellers into much-needed reform programs. Moreover, the sentencing for a non-violent drug offender convicted of a crime committed without malicious intent can be the same as a person who has committed a violent crime with malicious attempt... i.e. murder.