STARTING TO PREPARE YOUR RETURNS?

DON'T FORGET THOSE MARIJUANA TAX STAMPS

Groton -- Attention all drug dealers, a tip for tax season: Don't
forget to purchase your marijuana tax stamps at the state Department
of Revenue Services.

Three people arrested this week by the Groton/Stonington Narcotics
Task Force were charged with possession of marijuana without a tax
stamp.

By state law, not only are drug dealers expected to pay the tax, they
also are expected to keep detailed records for tax purposes, logging
each transaction. Connecticut is one of 20 states with similar laws.

Sarah Kaufman, director of communications for the revenue department,
said the stamps can be purchased anonymously by walking in the front
door of the department and paying in cash.

The tax is $3.50 per gram if the owner possesses 42.5 grams or more.
Civil and criminal penalties for not having the stamps include 200
percent of the tax up to $10,000, six years in prison or both.

Kaufman said most purchasers are collectors. The department has $10
and $500 stamps for marijuana and $200 and $10,000 stamps for other
controlled substances. She said the department has only sold one $500
stamp and one $200 stamp and has never sold a $10,000 stamp.

Some states are creative with their stamps. Nebraska's depicts a skull
and syringe plopped before a headstone engraved with the letters "R.I.P. "

"Never in my 18 years have I seen somebody pay tax on marijuana," said
Detective Cody Floyd at the Stonington Police Department.