wars. not everyone thinks changing the guidelines now is a good idea. lamar smith of texas argued against the change saying reducing the penalties for crack cocaine could expose our neighborhoods to the same violence and addition that caused addiction that caused congress to act in the first place. illegal drugs drive bad behavior. reporter: former federal prosecutor and heritage foundation scholar says the new law evens the sentences for crack and cocaine use it does not mean anyone already in jail under the old guidelines get their sentences reduced. no, you don t. you got sentenced under a lawful sentence passed by congress, signed by the president. this law does not apply retroactively. reporter: the bill was signed into law today in the oval office without television cameras and the president made no remarks the change in sentence was a promise that senator obama made when he ran for president in 2008. high-ranking city official caught breaking the rules and