Gov. Spitzer of New York has proposed a state tax on drug dealers that would exempt from criminal prosecution.

An agreement of confidentiality would also be issued to the dealer,

…none of the information may be used against the dealer in any criminal proceeding [other than a tax crime] unless it has been obtained independently

New York is modeling the proposed law on measures in other states, where stamps are issued to marihuana (sic) to demonstrate it has been paid for.  Interestingly enough, more stamp collectors are buying the stamps than drug dealers are.

Tennessee actually netted $2 million in the first year of its program.  The irony is that funds are used to fight drug trafficking.

Republicans aren’t usually ecstatic about raising taxes, and not everyone is high about cashing in on crack.

Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry is opposing the bill.  Not because it’s stupid (it is).

But because drug dealers supposedly don’t have enough money as it is, and we wouldn’t want to burden that portion of the population with further financial hardships.

Thanks to Lawrence Gridin of UWO Law for the heads up.