Opinion ID: 746978
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Bowen's Other Claims

Text: 27 We need not dwell at length on Bowen's additional claims. First, his request for a downward departure due to the low THC levels of the substance is rendered irrelevant in light of our holding that the rule of lenity applies. Second, he challenges the constitutionality of the fifty to one conversion ratio between hashish oil and marihuana under U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1 and 21 U.S.C § 841(b)(1)(D). In declining Bowen's invitation to deem Congress' enactment of this ratio patently irrational, we need only direct his attention to United States v. Singleterry, 29 F.3d 733, 739 (1st Cir.1994), which upheld a challenge to the Guideline provision equating one gram of cocaine base with 100 grams of cocaine. Indeed, the fifty to one hashish oil ratio presents a much more straightforward case for after-the-fact rationalization: hashish oil can be expected to be more potent and more easily transported than marihuana. 28 Finally, Bowen challenges the admission of a drug ledger during his criminal trial. Even assuming, as Bowen alleges, that the drug ledger confiscated at the time of his arrest was not related to the conduct charged in the indictment, and therefore should have been excluded as irrelevant, on reviewing the record we find that any error was plainly harmless and did not implicate a constitutional right. Given the varied and strong proof, based on direct evidence, of Bowen's participation in the conspiracy, we find the weight of the additional evidence overwhelming, and conclude that the same verdict would almost certainly result from a new trial. United States v. Rose, 104 F.3d 1408, 1414 (1st Cir.1997). Although the drug ledger was used by the prosecution to corroborate the testimony of Bowen's co-conspirators, significantly, the accomplice testimony was forcefully corroborated by other real evidence and by the testimony of customs agents.