11/15/2002
Like a lot of states, Florida has screwy alcohol laws. I made reform of the state beer laws something of a cause. But did you know that driving across state lines to deliver a bottle of wine is a felony? That's right, a felony. (And it's not just us). And vendors can only deliver in their own vehicles not by mail or UPS. This makes Internet wine orders from places like Wine Globe illegal. (Wine.com gets around it with something called a "logistical center."
A similar law was struck down in New York state (and here.) But that probably won't help us here. (Explaination deep in this story.) Still, a court is set to reconsider Florida's law. (Legal wonks: pdfs of the briefs!)
I'm glad to see groups like Coalition for Free Trade and Free the Grapes! but I don't think the courts will help in the short run. You gotta buy yourself some legislators and get this changed. Besides it's always great fun to see free market, Libertarian-talkin' Republicans suddenly become archprotectionist, gotta-look-after-the-kids advocates of strict government regulation when the interests of big contributors like alcohol wholesalers are involved. Let's see some activist wine snobs in Tallahasee!
A similar law was struck down in New York state (and here.) But that probably won't help us here. (Explaination deep in this story.) Still, a court is set to reconsider Florida's law. (Legal wonks: pdfs of the briefs!)
I'm glad to see groups like Coalition for Free Trade and Free the Grapes! but I don't think the courts will help in the short run. You gotta buy yourself some legislators and get this changed. Besides it's always great fun to see free market, Libertarian-talkin' Republicans suddenly become archprotectionist, gotta-look-after-the-kids advocates of strict government regulation when the interests of big contributors like alcohol wholesalers are involved. Let's see some activist wine snobs in Tallahasee!
