Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2008
Source: Newsday (NY)
Copyright: 2008 Newsday Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newsday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/308
Author: Melissa Mansfield
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

SPITZER PROPOSAL: TAX MARIJUANA, OTHER SUBSTANCES

ALBANY - If you want to smoke pot, you have to pay
taxes.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer's budget proposal included a bill  that would
require all marijuana and other controlled  substances in the state to
have a tax stamp.  Twenty-nine states, from Massachusetts to Nevada,
currently tax drugs.

Spitzer estimates the collection could bring in $13  million this
fiscal year, and $17 million the next.

Budget officials said they researched other states'  laws to come up
with the fees and regulations, though  they were doubtful many dealers
or users would contact  the Department of Taxation and Finance. If
people  brought in on charges had drugs without a tax stamp,  they
would then be charged the appropriate taxes.

The bill sets a tax stamp rate for marijuana of $3.50  per gram, and
for other controlled substances $200 per  gram, regardless of purity.
The bill includes a  confidentiality clause, which would allow people
to  request a tax stamp from the state and, in return,  their
information would not be given to the police.

Alcohol was also targeted in the budget proposal. One  bill would
place flavored malt beverages, such as hard  lemonade, in a new,
separate category of alcoholic  beverages for taxing purposes. They
would be taxed at  the rate of $2.54 per gallon or 67 cents per liter.
  Beer is taxed at 11 cents per gallon.
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