Wow, It's Expensive

[sandollars]

I live on the North side of Indianapolis. Order your $1000 worth of tobacco, send it to me, I won't even open it. Arrive at my house, smoke a bowl or two of tobacco with me and enjoy a bourbon, even spend the night in one of the spare bedrooms if you wish. Pack a couple of boxes in your trunk, return home. If the helicopters track you and the jack booted thugs arrest you ... I've never heard of you.

I have to say: I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY!

 

[anotherbob]

Unfortunately, purchasing from vendors not licensed in the state (bordering state, internet, mailorder) all carry the same penalties: Tobacco tax (of course), 500% of the tax, seizure of products, seizure of vehicle if used to transport the tobacco, and 5yrs prison/$5000 fine.

don't quote me on this but a few tins aren't going to get you nicked. They're going to be looking for people who are buying in bulk with the express intention of resale. Which is an actual issue.

 

[alexander87]

So you border 3 states, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin by land. But there is also Minnesota across the lake. Lots of Scandinavians settled there in Minnesota. Ancestors of the vikings. They know how to build sturdy and efficient watercraft. I suggest you take up pirate smuggling across Lake Superior. Yarr. Tis a good plan I tell ye.

This is a very sound and reasonable plan. I say this as a pipe smoking Minnesotan.

 

[logs]

As a matter of fact, a law, in order to be one, must have as its purpose the wellbeing of everyone—i.e. it has to be in full concordance with Natural Law. When a law is serving only some at the expense of others, i.e. when it has ceased to be in harmony with Natural Law, then it ceases to be a law—it becomes a mere regulation—and we are no longer morally obligated to follow it. In fact, some laws regulations are so bad that we are morally obligated to oppose them.

The natural law arguments are a very 18th century way of looking at the world. I think you've been reading too much John Locke and Rousseau.

 

[woodsroad]

Unfortunately, purchasing from vendors not licensed in the state (bordering state, internet, mailorder) all carry the same penalties: Tobacco tax (of course), 500% of the tax, seizure of products, seizure of vehicle if used to transport the tobacco, and 5yrs prison/$5000 fine.

Has anyone been prosecuted for this?
I’m assuming the The State is using sales tax data garnered through credit card sales to identify culprits. I’m not one to advocate tax evasion, but there are alternate payment methods that would avoid the issue.

 

[unkleyoda]

I think you are placing way too much faith that Barney Fife is going to figure out that you had someone ship you tobacco, or that you drove to a neighboring state to pick it up from a friend. Michigan has no customs you have to clear it with. Hell, Lee Von Erck, the pipe maker, lives in northern Michigan, he buys tobacco at shows and brings it back with him.

 

[unkleyoda]

Have aunt Betty, in a different state, buy the tobacco online, use her credit card, have it shipped to her house, she re-ships to you. You pay her, cash, check, paypal, plus some extra for the effort. Bam! They are non the wiser.

 

[olkofri]

The natural law arguments are a very 18th century way of looking at the world. I think you've been reading too much John Locke and Rousseau.

Hell, those??? Never!!

More like Aquinas, St Augustine, and the Holy Writ (Acts 5:28-29 is the foundation of my expressed point).

 

[jpmcwjr]

Given my very limited knowledge of ICC regulations, the State of Michigan is out of line legally as well as spritually. (as if they cared)

 

[olkofri]

Given my very limited knowledge of ICC regulations, the State of Michigan is out of line legally as well as spritually. (as if they cared)

Well, I don't live in the US, so don't quote me, but there's plenty of illegality in the US's legality, by the looks of it. Somewhere I read that a number of these tax schemes are actually unconstitutional, such as the collection of taxes from stuff you buy outside your state.

 

[brian64]

Well, I don't live in the US, so don't quote me, but there's plenty of illegality in the US's legality, by the looks of it. Somewhere I read that a number of these tax schemes are actually unconstitutional

At some point the constitution was discovered to be unconstitutional...been lots of confusion since then.

 

[ophiuchus]

Michigan

You know, you’re not kidding, Though I consider it probable that mention of Gretchen would turn this into a political discussion. Fucking nanny state ...

 

[olkofri]

It was mentioned in another thread that there used to be pirates in the Great Lakes... now we know where they ended: nowadays they sail, pillage, and plunder in the state legislature.

 

[brian64]

It was mentioned in another thread that there used to be pirates in the Great Lakes... now we know where they ended: nowadays they sail, pillage, and plunder in the state legislature.

They even have a fraternity at Yale.

 

[olkofri]

They even have a fraternity at Yale.

At whose parties they enjoy all the cigars their goons confiscate!!?? ?

 

[brian64]

Laws and taxes are for the little people.

 

[weezell]

Laws and taxes are for the little people.

BOY,if that ain't the truth! I guess when the poor get hungry enough they will eat the rich,,,

 

[brian64]

I guess when the poor get hungry enough they will eat the rich,,,

They might try to if their JP Morgan Chase-issued EBT cards run out.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Laws and taxes are for the little people.

Hah!

Leona! The Queen of Mean! I thought you were dead and buried!

 

[brian64]

Leona! The Queen of Mean! I thought you were dead and buried!

Death, apparently, is for everyone.

Although "they" are working on remedying that little problem supposedly...which will ultimately not succeed.