Recent Deaths in Dominican Republic Underscore the Need to Maintain a Strong, Closed Alcohol Regulation and Distribution System

The news this month has been filled with news reports of the tragic deaths of 11 Americans while vacationing in the Dominican Republic.   Much of the media attention on these deaths have centered on the possible consumption of poisonous/tainted alcohol by the victims.  While more study is being done and the FBI is now involved,…Read More

Tennessee Retailers’ Supreme Court Case Has A New Respondent

The pending Supreme Court case on the Tennessee retail residency law is now on its third named state defendant.  Sorry Clayton Byrd and now Zachary Blair, your name is off the case caption.  Congratulations to Russell F. Thomas who is the new Executor Director of the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Control and because of that title…Read More

Guest Column: 100 Years After the Failure of Prohibition, the Supreme Court Has Opportunity to Prevent Another Federalization of Alcohol Policy

100 Years After the Failure of Prohibition, the Supreme Court Has Opportunity to Prevent Another Federalization of Alcohol Policy On January 16, 2019 the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association v. Blair.   January 16th is a critical date in alcohol policy history because on…Read More

New Law Review Article Offers Comprehensive Overview of 21st Amendment and the Commerce Clause

A large number of law review articles addressing the 21st Amendment take a very narrow view of the amendment as part of on going policy fights related to alcohol regulation.  So, it is refreshing to see a new law review article that gives a more balanced history on the interaction between the 21st Amendment and…Read More

En Banc Panel Upholds California Tied House Law Against First Amendment Challenge

In a 10-1 decision, an en banc panel of the 9th Circuit overruled a previous three judge decision of the Ninth Circuit and reinstated a district court decision that upheld a California alcohol law regulating the payment between suppliers/wholesalers and retailers. In the opinion authored by Judge Paez the opinion noted that the Supreme Court’s Central Hudson…Read More