However the drug tax law exists in Louisiana for about 20 years, its constitutionality is still discussed

A drug tax has to be paid in Louisiana for distribution of steroids. This tax exists in this state for the past 20 years. Thus, Todd Matherne, a steroid dealer was enforced to pay 52 million dollars because he sold many steroids with the labels of the “Zencall Labs”. This person was sentenced to 7 years in prison but he served 3 years of them.
In fact, Todd Matherne didn’t know the Louisiana’s drug stamp law. But when he was released from the jail, he studied this law. As a result, this person filed a lawsuit against the State of Louisiana, noticing that it was too cruel to enforce him to pay 52 million of dollars. Todd Matherne pointed out that it had been an unusual and even too cruel punishment. This man pointed out that his rights were violated.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue didn’t fight against this distributor of steroids in the court. It was decided to regulate this question. Thus, the tax was reduced essentially. According to the new settlement, Todd Matherne had to pay only 2, 000 dollars instead of 52 million dollars. Nonetheless, the drug tax law has remained in Louisiana but its constitutionality is still discussed.
John Williams, an expert in drug prosecution for the Louisiana District Attorney Association, noted that certain laws in different other states were ruled unconstitutionally. He confirmed that it was the same with the drug tax law in Louisiana. But since certain laws try to criminal twice the same crime, they can be lifted.
This specialist noticed that this law couldn’t work well because it might give the possibility to defendants to escape from criminal prosecution. Williams claimed that this law was not being used because a criminal case could be lost in exchange just for taxes.
There is also another reason which may explain why law enforcements don’t desire to impose the drug tax law in Louisiana. Law enforcements do not support this law because the taxes don’t go to law enforcement; they go to state agencies.
According to drug tax law in Louisiana, the tax of 200 dollars is indicated per 1 g of anabolic steroids, if they are distributed by weight. If these products are sold by dose units, it is indicated to pay 400 dollars for 10 dose units.
As for Todd Matherne, he was a steroid dealer of the huge underground lab called “Zencall Labs”. The Louisiana State Police busted this lab in 2005. More than 10, 000 tablets and 300 capsules of Stanozolol, more than 6, 000 tablets of Anadrol, 3,500 tablets and 1, 900 capsules of Cialis, 1, 5000 capsules of Tamoxifen, 2, 400 capsules of Clomid, 800 capsules of Anabol and 600 capsules of Dianabol were seized by the police officers. Furthermore, over 700 vials of injectable anabolic steroids and certain pounds of raw steroid powder were also found there.