SUPREME COURT DECISION “SHOULD SEND A POWERFUL MESSAGE.”

So by now most of us have heard about yesterday’s victory for three-tier crusaders when the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal in a Virginia alcohol case. The Supreme Court’s refusal basically validated the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to limit the amount of wine an individual can bring into the state and the right of ABC stores to sell only Virginia wine. So, with that said, let’s take a look at what the trade groups had to say.

Craig Wolf, president and chief of the WSWA:

“This should send a powerful message to those seeking to dismantle smart state-based alcohol regulations—states retain virtually complete control over how to structure their alcohol sales and distribution systems, which are based largely on the wholesaler-centric model.”

“Today’s Supreme Court action ends years of litigation in Virginia, but it is perhaps even more relevant to regulators facing retail direct litigation in Texas, Michigan, New York— and potentially Illinois. The Supreme Court’s decision reaffirms the 4th Circuit’s ruling that nothing in Granholm supports the notion that states have an obligation under the Constitution to ensure that out-of-state retailers, no matter how geographically distant, have equal access to in-state retail markets.”

Craig Purser, president of the NBWA:

“America’s beer distributors are encouraged by the Supreme Court’s decision today, which confirms states’ rights under the 21st Amendment to regulate the distribution and sale of alcohol beverages. America has a very effective system in place. People in Utah do not feel the same way about alcohol as people in New York, and the regulatory system allows states the flexibility to deal with local circumstances.”

“The Supreme Court of the United States recognizes that the Fourth Circuit got it right in this matter.”

No other trade groups could be reached for comment.