U.S. Sentencing Commission publishes proposed drug-offense guideline amendments; seeks public comment

The United States Sentencing Commission voted on Dec. 12, 2025, to publish proposed amendments to the United States Sentencing Guidelines aimed at drug-trafficking offenses and has opened a public comment period that runs through Feb. 10, 2026, the commission’s staff said.

Amy Dezember, a senior research associate in the commission’s Office of Research and Data, presented staff analysis of a three-part proposal that would amend section 2D1.1 of the guidelines. "The Commission is seeking public comment on the proposed amendments," Dezember said.

Part A would change how the guidelines treat methamphetamine by addressing the purity distinction between methamphetamine "actual" (including crystalline "ice") and methamphetamine as part of a mixture. Staff presented two approaches: Option 1 would set a single quantity threshold for all methamphetamine offenses with four bracketed alternatives (matching current meth-mixture thresholds, fentanyl thresholds, cocaine-base thresholds, or current meth-actual thresholds). Option 2 would retain distinct levels but make them contingent on specified reducing or heightening conduct factors, such as…