California craft liquor delivery is about to go away thanks to big money lobbying
- California's craft distillers have been able to deliver spirits directly to consumers for six years, but this may end soon without legislative intervention.
- The current temporary laws allowing such deliveries expire on December 31, and opposition from the wine industry and large alcohol distributors is strong.
- Lobbying efforts against the legislation have exceeded $1 million this year, primarily from corporate alcohol interests and labor unions.
- Opponents argue that allowing craft distillers to ship directly could weaken safeguards against underage alcohol delivery.
- The California wine industry, while historically allowed to ship directly, is cautious about extending similar rights to smaller distillers.
California's craft distillers have enjoyed the ability to deliver spirits directly to consumers for six years, a practice initiated during the pandemic under an executive order from Governor Gavin Newsom. However, this privilege may come to an end as the temporary laws permitting such deliveries are set to expire on December 31. Legislative efforts to make these rules permanent face significant opposition from powerful lobbying groups, including the wine industry and corporate alcohol distributors.
The opposition has spent over $1 million lobbying the state legislature this year to block proposals that would allow craft distillers to continue direct shipping. These groups argue that the legislation primarily benefits out-of-state companies and could undermine existing safeguards against underage alcohol delivery. The California Distillers Association has expressed frustration, noting that their lobbying efforts pale in comparison to those of their opponents.
While the wine industry has long been allowed to ship directly to consumers, its representatives are wary of extending similar rights to smaller distillers, fearing it could create an uneven playing field. The situation highlights the influence of wealthy interests in shaping alcohol policy in California, as lawmakers navigate the complexities of the industry amid significant lobbying activity.
加州手工酒类送货即将消失，因大额游说
加州的手工酿酒商在过去六年中享有直接向消费者送货的权利，这一做法是在疫情期间由加州州长加文·纽森的行政命令启动的。然而，随着允许这种送货的临时法律将于12月31日到期，这一特权可能会结束。立法者试图使这些规则永久化的努力面临来自强大游说团体的重大反对，包括葡萄酒行业和大型酒类分销商。
反对者今年已在州立法机构游说超过100万美元，以阻止允许手工酿酒商继续直接发货的提案。这些团体认为，该立法主要惠及外州公司，并可能削弱现有的防止未成年人获取酒精的保障措施。加州酿酒商协会对此表示沮丧，指出他们的游说努力与对手相比微不足道。
虽然葡萄酒行业长期以来被允许直接向消费者发货，但其代表对将类似权利扩展到小型酿酒商持谨慎态度，担心这可能会造成不平等竞争。这一情况突显了富有利益集团在加州酒类政策制定中的影响力，因为立法者在重大游说活动中应对行业的复杂性。