Wednesday, December 29, 2004

More taxation without representation Tennessee will start instituting a tax on marijuana and other illegal drugs in the new year. The taxpayer gets nothing in return for the paid taxes, other than avoiding the penalties of this newly instituted law. Drug dealers can go to a state revenue office within 48 hours of coming into possession of unauthorized substances. They pay the tax and get a "stamp" to put on the drugs showing they have paid up.   No names no addresses or social security numbers and the state can't call authorities and tell on you.   And if you caught with drugs, without the “stamp” you not only face criminal charges, but taxes on the contraband as well. Seems like double jeopardy to me, but I'm no lawyer. This idea has been raised in Chicago, but little has been heard about it since a city council member brought it up a few months ago. I didn't like it then, and noted some successful legal challenges to similar laws.   8:33:09 PM | permalink | comment []

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