Ravenwood - 03/18/05 07:15 AM
There are some interesting goings on with Tennessee's marijuana tax. Say Uncle points out that it appears to be just another excuse for the state to seize property without the due process of law.
When the Dept. of Revenue taxes a drug possessor, that person has an opportunity to pay the tax, and then if it is not paid, agents may seize and auction off anything of value the person owns.This certainly escalates the war on drugs in Tennessee. Methinks it might backfire. The government is sure giving themselves a vested interest in seizing property.The taxing of the illegal substance does not have to await criminal conviction of the owner. Just the possession of the substance triggers the tax levy.
"This tax is for people who are found in possession of these illegal substances, and it is not connected to any criminal prosecution," Slatton said. "We notify them that they owe the tax, and if they do not pay, we can proceed with collecting it by seizing cars, land, or other possessions."Is your department's budget a little lean this year? No problem, just go out and round up some drug users. Keep in mind that this all happens independent of any criminal prosecution. It's like payola that goes directly to law enforcement and government officials.What happens to the funds collected this way?
"Seventy five percent goes back to the law enforcement agency handling the case, and 25 percent goes to the state's general fund," Slatton said.
Category: Pleasure Police
Comments (8) top link me
The state also refused to accept payment of the tax, according to a reader. I also have a copy of the form on my site. If you live in Knoxville, they expect you to drive to appear in person to Nashville (3.5 hours) to pay the tax.
It's quite stupid.
Posted by: SayUncle at March 18, 2005 9:14 AMAre you sure this isn't lampoonery?
Posted by: Michael at March 18, 2005 1:09 PMNo, it's not lampoonery. I wish that it were, but it's not.
Posted by: Acidman at March 18, 2005 6:23 PMThe troops in the war on drugs have been given permission to loot.
Posted by: Brett at March 19, 2005 8:33 AMAnother case of the stupid meter being pegged here. I wonder how long it will be before the gun-grabbers and elitist do-gooder socialists are able to push a similar tax on eeevil, scary:
Ammo
"Assault weapons" ***cough, cough***
Toy guns
Butter knives
"Wrong thinking" people
The old tactic of seizing property and selling it if a crime is believed to have occured has taken a few hits lately. This is their cute way to keep seizing and getting money to wage a war on drugs and get more money.. ad infinitum
Posted by: gunner at March 19, 2005 10:56 PMSo, if you don't pay the tax they can seize your property. But if you DO pay it, you're admitting to violation of drug laws?
Since a convicted felon can't be prosecuted for not registering a firearm because it's a violation of 5th Amendment rights, how is this working?
Posted by: Mark at March 20, 2005 3:10 AMThey are claiming that you cannot be prosecuted for paying the tax. But they make you appear in person, at the Capitol.
Posted by: Ravenwood at March 21, 2005 7:24 AM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
