COLUMBIA, S.C. - A bill to equalize the penalties for possession of crack and powder cocaine has been approved by a House subcommittee.

The bill, which passed the panel Thursday, should end a perceived bias that the sentencing is racially motivated. "Cocaine's cocaine," said Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia.

The bill passed the Senate last month and is scheduled to go before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

Currently, a first-time conviction for possessing crack is a felony that carries a five-year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine. By comparison, a first-time conviction for possessing powder cocaine is a misdemeanor and carries a two-year prison sentence and $5,000 fine.

The bill would lessen the punishment for those convicted of possessing crack and stiffen slightly prison sentences for those convicted of having powder cocaine.

A first-time offender would be charged with a misdemeanor, which carries up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

The bill also includes penalties for possession of 12 grams or more of pseudoephedrine, a cold medicine that can be cooked to make methamphetamine.