Opinion ID: 46230
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Use of Actual Methamphetamine in Guidelines Calculation

Text: 17 Molina argues that the district court erred when it calculated the marijuana equivalent of the methamphetamine seized by applying the multiplier for actual methamphetamine instead of that for a methamphetamine mixture or substance. Section 2D1.1's Drug Equivalency Table for Schedule I and II stimulants provides that one gram of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine is equivalent to two kilograms of marijuana, whereas one gram of actual methamphetamine is equivalent to twenty kilograms of marijuana. U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1 cmt. n.10 Drug Equivalency Tables. Molina contends that this ten-to-one ratio violates due process because it is irrational and because its application is arbitrary. 18 Molina first posits that the ratio is irrational because, [u]nlike the notorious difference between cocaine and crack cocaine, there is no qualitative difference involved here. Def.-Appellant's Br. 11-12 (footnote omitted). The Seventh Circuit rejected this argument in United States v. Turner, 93 F.3d 276 (7th Cir.1996): 19 We agree with the district court that the 10:1 ratio is supported by a rational basis because the pure product is more concentrated and can be cut into larger quantities for resale. Methamphetamine, as it is produced through normal chemical processes, contains a number of impurities that can be removed through further processing. The finished product can be cut into larger quantities for resale. Accordingly, the sentencing scheme for methamphetamine punishes more severely the sophisticated cooks who could otherwise manipulate the Guidelines by producing smaller quantities of more concentrated methamphetamine. We are unable to conclude that Congress lacked a rational basis when it elected to punish drug offenses involving pure methamphetamine more severely. 20 Turner, 93 F.3d at 287 (citations and quotation marks omitted). Molina has not directed us to authority contrary to Turner; moreover, we agree with Turner 's rationale. Accordingly, we reject Molina's argument that the ten-to-one ratio has no rational basis. 21 Molina also argues that the application of the ten-to-one ratio is arbitrary. He opines that the decision whether to use the actual-methamphetamine multiplier or the methamphetamine-mixture multiplier in the Guidelines calculation is determined by the indictment. In essence, he suggests that if the government chooses to present an indictment alleging possession of methamphetamine, then the harsher actual-methamphetamine multiplier is used in the Guidelines calculation; but if the government chooses to present an indictment alleging possession of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, then the more-lenient methamphetamine-mixture multiplier is used, resulting in a shorter sentence for the exact same conduct. 4 Because the harshness of the sentence, he suggests, is therefore within the government's discretion, the application of the ten-to-one ratio is arbitrary. 22 Molina misapprehends the operation of the Guidelines. The choice of which multiplier to use is not determined by the language of the indictment. Rather, commentary to § 2D1.1 provides: In the case of a mixture or substance containing ... methamphetamine, use the offense level determined by the entire weight of the mixture or substance, or the offense level determined by the weight of the ... methamphetamine (actual), whichever is greater. § 2D1.1(c) n.B. Thus, even if the indictment alleges possession of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, the Guidelines' commentary directs the court to apply the offense level determined by the weight of the pure methamphetamine in the mixture or substance if doing so would result in a higher offense level. Because the choice of multiplier is determined by the Guidelines and not by the government or the language of the indictment, we reject Molina's contention that the application of the ten-to-one ratio is arbitrary. See Turner, 93 F.3d at 287.