[rosnd]

That doesn't make any sense, everyone on the receiving end of these threats has a lawyer. Even the shittiest public defender will translate this for you.

These numbers exist solely for the audiences at home.

[SturgeonsLaw]

Same with the "street value" they cite in drug busts. Sure, that guy with 100kg of coke is going to be selling it in little 1g baggies.

[l33tman]

Getting OT here but at least the end-user cost in that case is some kind of "normalized impact on society" if you're looking for a number to compare different busts with.

[rosnd]

Well, that's a lie which at times has real impact on trial outcomes. I wouldn't really put it in the same category.

[nradov]

Sentences for federal drug crimes are based on substance weight, not value.

[dragonwriter]

> Sentences for federal drug crimes are based on substance weight, not value.

Depends on which federal drug crimes. The drug kingpin law is based on $, not weight.

[rosnd]

Yes, but federal drug crimes are not the only kind of drug crimes.