Illegal Alcohol Production Breaking Into the United States?

Unlicensed Distiller Sentenced to Jail for Killing Three People and also the Justice Department Files Appeal to the 5th Circuit in the Challenge to Home Distilling Ban The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that over 25% of the alcohol in the world is “unrecorded alcohol” meaning it is illegally produced and not taxed and…Read More

Iowa District Court Strikes In Part/ Upholds In Part Law Allowing Iowa Wineries to Self-Distribute

Judge Ebinger of the Central District in Iowa has ruled on summary judgement motions before her. In her decision, she ruled for an out of state winery’s dormant Commerce Clause challenge to one Iowa law (123.173(2)) that allows Iowa wineries to also be a wholesaler but the judge also ruled for the state against challenges…Read More

Oral Argument Held in Ninth Circuit on Appeal by Wine Aficionados Challenging Arizona Retail Shipping Laws

On August 22, 2024, a panel of the Ninth Circuit comprised of Judges Bade, Forrest, and Smith heard oral arguments on the appeal of the district court’s decision upholding Arizona’s retail laws banning out of state retail sales. Like the recently argued case in the Third Circuit, these judges noted the same problems that caused…Read More

Oral Argument Held by 3rd Circuit on Out-of-State Retailer Challenge to NJ Retailer Law

The Third Circuit held oral arguments on September 17th on the out of state retailer appeal of their district court loss on their dormant Commerce Clause challenge to the law that restricts out of state retailers from shipping to New Jersey consumers. Most of the case centered around the odd posture of the case and…Read More

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rejects Constitutional Challenge to State Franchise Law

The highest court in Massachusetts has ruled against a challenge to the commonwealth’s franchise law by an out of state importer. The importer was terminated by its supplier and it sought protection under the Massachusetts franchise law. However, importers are defined under section 18B of the MA code while wholesalers are under a different part…Read More