Kansas Department of Revenue - Illegal Drug Tax Implemented!

Kansas Department of Revenue ^ | FR Post 7-24-2003 | Editorial Staff - Kansas Dept of Revenue.

[vannrox]

Kansas Department of Revenue - Drug Tax Stamp - Drugs are illegal, but Kansas still wants to get taxes from them. I'm not sure what universe government employees live in.

Drug Tax Stamp

The fact that dealing marijuana and controlled substances is illegal does not exempt it from taxation. Therefore drug dealers are required by law to purchase drug tax stamps. The drug tax is due as soon as the dealer takes possession of the marijuana or controlled substance.

Payment of the drug tax will purchase the drug tax stamps. Attach the stamp to the marijuana and/or controlled substance immediately after receiving the substance. The stamps are valid for 3 months. Drugs seized without stamps or having expired stamps may result in criminal or civil penalties which may include fines, seizure of property or liens against real estate.

A dealer is not required to give his/her name or address when purchasing stamps and the Department is prohibited from sharing any information relating to the purchase of drug tax stamps with law enforcement or anyone else. Purchasing drug tax stamps does not make possession of drugs legal.

[vannrox]

So your implied response is that this tax is a "good" and "Just" tax as it adds additional penalties to those whom use illegal drugs.

I can see where it would work. However,

the creation of laws that are sneaky or ill defined or surreptitious in NATURE, should NOT be the ways our laws are constructed and implemented. Why can't the punishment for a illegal drug crime be what the laws on the books says it is? Doesn't the fees involved eventually go into the State Treasury anyways?

I am not advocating the change in the Drug laws, as I have friends who now have their lives ruined because of their abuse of drugs. This is nothing to wax theoretically about. I applaud the efforts by those who mean well and are "thinking outside of the box". Some times difficult problems require fresh solutions.

But, my issue really boils down to this:

(1)....Thank you for explaining WHY these laws are in place.
(2)....Why can't a law be simple and direct and plain and easy to understand? Why does it have to be so obscure and compiled as a stratagem?

While our founding fathers would of had a more Libertarian view towards the entire Drug situation, this does not betray the true nature of the laws in this country. We need and must have clear and direct access to the understanding and nature of our laws. This is of prime fundamental importance. Failure to keep that in mind will only result in a Pyrrhic Victory in the war on drugs.

One who's tecniques to obtain the end result would shread the main principles of our Judical system.

[robertpaulsen]

Maybe Texas could come up with a Sodomy Tax stamp? But where to put it?

[Wolfie]

Philately might actually become what it sounds like.