N.Y. bill to require a tax stamp on pot

ALBANY, N.Y. — 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 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.