profound impact on women, who are historically more likely to play peripheral roles in a drug enterprise than men. However, because prosecutors can attach drug quantities to an individual regardless of the level of a defendant’s participation in the charged offense, women have been exposed to increasingly punitive sentences. (16) Low-level and mid-level drug offenders can be adequately prosecuted by the States and punished or supervised in treatment as appropriate. (17) Congress has an obligation to taxpayers to use sentencing policies that are cost-effective and increase public safety, in addition to establishing a criminal justice system that is fair, efficient, and provides just sentences for offenders. Mandatory sentences have not been conclusively shown to reduce recidivism or deter crime. (18) The limited resources in the Federal criminal justice system should be used to protect society by incapacitating dangerous and violent offenders who pose a threat to public safety. (19) The Federal judiciary has the expertise and is in the best position to sentence each offender and determine who should be sent to Federal prisons and the amount of time each offender should serve. 3. Approval of certain prosecutions by Attorney General A Federal prosecution for an offense under the Controlled Substances Act, the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, or for any conspiracy to commit such an offense, where the offense involves the illegal distribution or possession of a controlled substance in an amount less than that amount specified as a minimum for an offense under section 401(b)(1)(A) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(A) ) or, in the case of any substance containing cocaine or cocaine base, in an amount less than 500 grams, shall not be commenced without the prior written approval of the Attorney General. 4. Modification of certain sentencing provisions (a) Section 404 Section 404(a) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 844(a) ) is amended— (1) by striking not less than 15 days but