Stoel Rives attorney Susan Johnson recently discussed legal challenges to Washington state's new liquor law in Wines & Vines magazine. Washington State Initiative 1183, which passed with 58% voter support in the November 2011 general election, privatized liquor sales in Washington and ended the state's liquor monopoly. Several legal challenges to the law have since been filed on constitutional grounds.
Johnson said she has counseled her beverage industry clients to proceed slowly with changes. "We're really trying to keep our clients informed, but also advising a little bit of wait-and-see attitude so that we're sure the parameters of the rules that are going to be adopted. It makes it very difficult to engage in any implementation of changes in business practices and invest money, when the landscape could completely change or revert back to the old regime."
"Washington Wine Privatization Still Stands" was published by Wines & Vines, December 21, 2011.
For full coverage on liquor privatization efforts in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah, visit the Alcoholic Beverages Law blog.