THE STATE OF WASHINGTON APPEALS

Washington State Liquor Control Board announced yesterday their intention to appeal District Court Judge Marsha Pechman’s ruling for the state to stop enforcing key parts of the 3-tire system. The Liquor Control Board argues that the state’s right to regulate alcohol should not fall secondary to federal antitrust laws. Washington State claims that "the judge's ruling failed to balance legitimate societal concerns about the negative effect of alcohol consumption with the interests of large corporations that profit from the sale of alcohol." Judge Pechman’s decision will not go into effect while the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals considers the appeal.