By Erik Schelzig
The Associated Press
NASHVILLE – Tennessee lawmakers are trying to revive a state law taxing illegal drugs that was declared unconstitutional last year.
The measure sponsored by Democratic Rep. Charles Curtiss, of Sparta, and Republican Sen. Randy McNally, of Oak Ridge, would rewrite the law known as the “crack tax” to specifically target drug dealers.
Tennessee’s drug tax that took effect in 2005 and generated more than $10 million required people to buy tax stamps for illegal drugs and liquor, just as wholesalers must buy for cigarettes.