A cigarette distributor as defined in section 297F.01, subdivision 4, shall pay to the commissioner an annual fee as follows:

1. (1) a fee of $2,500 is due from those distributors whose annual cigarette tax collections exceed $2,000,000; and

2. (2) a fee of $1,200 is due from those distributors whose annual cigarette tax collections are $2,000,000 or less.

   The annual fee must be paid by December 31 of each year. The annual fee must be deposited into the general fund.