Pubdate: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2004 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 TAXING DRUG DEALERS If someone's profiting from the drug trade in the state, Tennessee should get in on the action. As Sen. Randy McNally, sponsor of a bill that would tax drug and moonshine profits in Tennessee, noted, the legislation shouldn't be opposed by anyone. Sen. John Ford's silly objections notwithstanding, the General Assembly should have no trouble approving the bill. Ford tried to make a joke out of drug dealers telling enforcement they wanted to pay their taxes, but the legislation is sound. The legislation would raise $3.6 million for state coffers and give drug dealers one more reason to go elsewhere. The rate would be determined based on how drugs are sold. For example, illegal prescription drugs would be taxed by dosage while cocaine and marijuana would be based on grams. The tax would be assessed at the time police or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation takes in a dealer or moonshiner, but it would not lessen any other penalty like jail or fines. Needless to say, any revenue would go to good use. Methamphetamine legislation was slowed this year due to lack of funding. The state needs more prosecutors to deal with drug issues, too. And the concept of such a tax is not as strange as Ford maintains. A similar law has reaped $6 million for the state of North Carolina over the past few years. Many criminal violations carry the punishment of jail time and a fine. How is a tax based on the amount and type of drug markedly different? Ford said, ''We're taxing illegal drugs because North Carolina does it - they're not the smartest people in the world.'' But it's dumb not to demand money from those who are wrecking society and costing state government a fortune. Tennessee would be smart to pass this law. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh