To those of us who have long lamented the incredibly costly & failed war on drugs, it this a tiny step forward?

A radical next step could be to have state-controlled sale of "safe" drugs to "registered addicts" who lose access at affordable "pure" drugs if they commit a crime??


http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/14293502.html

New York State Could Soon Profit Off Illegal Drug Sales
Governor Spitzer, under his 2008-2009 budget, has proposed to put a tax stamp on all illegal drugs.

"This is a proposal to require a tax stamp on illegal drugs similar to ones that are done in 29 different states including North Carolina," said Spokesmen for the NYS Budget Division Jeffrey Gordon. "It is a provision that will charge a tax against marijuana and other controlled substances and will typically be levied when someone is apprehended and found in possession of such substances."

Under the proposal, dealers would have to cough up $3.50 per gram for marijuana and $200 per gram for other substances like cocaine; a revenue that could bring in big money for New York State.

"We are projecting an increase in revenue of 13 million dollars for 2008-2009, said Gordon. "We are basing that from experiences from other states."

Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark says that even though there is a certain amount of irony behind the proposed bill, Law Enforcement could benefit.

"It doesn't bother us," said Clark. "What it allows us to do is charge someone with the sales of drugs and violations of tax laws. So I get to have an extra criminal charge every time a drug dealer is prosecuted that hasn't paid the taxes."

The Legislature will be acting on Spitzer's proposed budget over the next few months, but should be finished by March 31. If the bill is passed, the bill would take effect 90 days after the budget is approved.

VIDEO: http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/14293...?video=YHI&t=a