California Craft Distillers Face End of Direct Shipping Rights
Opponents have spent more than $1 million lobbying as lawmakers face a deadline to preserve the pandemic-era shipping rule, advocates say.
- California craft distillers face the end of direct-to-consumer shipping rights as temporary pandemic-era allowances expire December 31, unless lawmakers intervene before the Legislature finishes for the year on August 31.
- Powerful lobbying groups, including the Wine Institute and Teamsters, successfully blocked efforts to make shipping permanent, arguing pandemic-era rules were only temporary and should expire as designed, six years later.
- While California craft distillers reported spending $54,000 on lobbying this year, opposing groups spent more than $1 million. These opponents have donated at least $11 million to California politicians since 2000.
- Folsom Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover unsuccessfully attempted to amend Assembly Bill 2211 to preserve shipping rights, stating, "They went directly to legislators' offices and basically torpedoed any effort we came up with."
- With legislative sessions concluding August 31, Dry Diggings Distillery owner Cris Steller is already reducing distribution. Teamsters lobbyist Matt Broad noted the labor group supports established shipping standards to ensure legal delivery and liability compliance.
13 Articles
13 Articles
California craft liquor delivery is about to go away thanks to big money lobbying
For six years, Californians have been able to shake up a craft cocktail at home using alcohol delivered to their doorstep.
California craft liquor delivery is about go away thanks to big money lobbying
California craft liquor deliveries could end Jan. 1. Distillers say powerful alcohol companies, the wine industry and Teamsters killed a possible extension of deliveries.
California craft distillers face end of direct home deliveries this year amid lobbying fight
FOR SIX YEARS, Californians have been able to shake up a craft cocktail at home using alcohol delivered to their doorstep. Now, it’s last call for the distillery deliveries, unless lawmakers intervene by the end of this month. That’s unlikely, thanks to opposition from California’s wine industry, Teamsters union truck drivers and corporate alcohol wholesalers and distributors. The influential, well-funded groups lobbied the Legislature behind cl…
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