In order to hit the drug content quota for this blog (which is really missing the point of this blog): “A $200-a-gram Tax on Cocaine” (NY Times).

Government agencies don’t really “get” drugs, do they? So, in order to completely miss the point of the policy, I force myself to wonder: how does this trickle down to the little guy? After all, tax season is fast upon us.

I mean, would the tax be prefigured into the purchase of that 20 bag, or will we need to bring a calculator with us out behind the dumpster? Is that tax only applicable on the cocaine content of our purchase? Surely we can’t be expected to pay such a hefty tax on the part that’s lidocaine - or any tax on the part that’s baking soda. Also, would foreigners traveling and doing coke in the United States be eligible for tax relief upon return to their country of origin? We also don’t like to do business with private organizations who evade their tax responsibilities…but is there really a tactful way to ask a dealer if we can see his state-approved “tax stamp”? Best case scenario, we end up looking at a prison tattoo on his lower back and - totally confused - go our separate ways.

So many questions…