From: "Rich Gauszka" 


"John Beamish"  wrote in message
news:op.tlybyep3m6tn4t{at}dellblack.wlfdle.phub.net.cable.rogers.com...
> ... but I don't understand the Drug Tax Stamp violation.
>
> http://www.hutchnews.com/news/local/stories/drugs011007.shtml


http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6670


In twenty US states, those who possess cannabis or other illegal drugs are
legally required to purchase and affix state-issued stamps onto his or her
contraband. The total cost of the tax is generally determined by the
quantity of contraband possessed. Unlike typical criminal statutes
prohibiting the possession and sale of controlled substances, drug tax
stamp laws primarily assess financial penalties on the defendant for
noncompliance. On occasion, criminal sanctions may also be imposed.

Although nearly half of all US states have marijuana tax stamp laws on the
books, few citizens observe them. Most individuals are unaware that such
laws exist in their state; others fear that complying with it will
incriminate their behavior. Because of this widespread noncompliance, drug
tax stamps - unlike so-called "sin taxes" on alcohol or tobacco -
do not collect state tax revenue at the customer's "point of
purchase." Rather, the legislative intent of drug tax laws is to
impose an additional penalty - tax evasion - upon drug offenders after they
are arrested and criminally charged with a drug violation.

In some states such as Georgia, failure to comply with the state tax law
may result in a nominal misdemeanor penalty. However, in other states such
as Minnesota, failure to comply with the state's drug tax law may result in
a defendant facing an additional fine of up to $14,000 and seven years in
jail.

See State Tax Stamp Data for the current state penalties for violating
marijuana tax laws and additional information regarding a particular
state's law.

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