Bourbon by Mail

[Lazer]

Just saw this.

http://www.newsday.com/business/schumer-calls-for-end-to-ban-on-mailing-liquor-beer-wine-1.6350533

PM me if you need my address.

[mbroo5880i]

He must have just received his TPS e-mail.

[petrel800]

"Wednesday, Sen. Charles Schumer . . . called to overturn the law barring the post office from shipping beer, wine and liquor. The move, he said, would boost New York's growing wine and craft-beer industry and give the beleaguered postal service a needed revenue shot."

Why not just come out and state that it makes no sense that a legal product be regulated through layers of red tape, 3 tier systems offering government protection to distributors and that consenting adults have the ability to make a determination if they want to buy, sell, and ship alcohol to each other. Why not just revert to freedom instead of well I'm OK with it as long as we can get more money out of the deal. Drives me up a wall.

[loki993]

Im not sure hes calling for a end to the 3 tier system just to allow the mailing of alcohol through the postal service...so im effect it really wont do much at all.....I think wineries can ship direct to consumers but breweries cannot..so it wouldn't help them at all...

[squire]

Teenagers can order prescription painkillers over the internet but the brewery down on the Coast of my home State can't mail me a fresh brew. Arrgh . . . must think happy thoughts, must think happy thoughts . . .

[Richnimrod]

But, But, doesn't the Government always know best?????

Please, reassure me that it's so.....:shocked:

[mbroo5880i]

But, But, doesn't the Government always know best?????

Please, reassure me that it's so.....:shocked:

Let me reassure you that if you have a favorite spirit, you can keep getting that favorite spirit. This law will not change that.

jk, anyway, this might be great for NY, but they still wouldn't be able to ship to Indiana.

[loki993]

Teenagers can order prescription painkillers over the internet but the brewery down on the Coast of my home State can't mail me a fresh brew. Arrgh . . . must think happy thoughts, must think happy thoughts . . .

Not even in the same state...trust me Ive asked...lol

[sutton]

The Supreme Court addressed this but the states can still make their own decisions. So this will never get fixed without a federal law which won't happen when 50 states have in-state interests that prevent them from agreeing.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Part of the repeal of prohibition was to give states authority to enact and enforce their own rules relating to alcohol.

The Feds allowing the post office to ship alcohol won't change state rules regarding the shipping of alcohol.

[sutton]

Part of the repeal of prohibition was to give states authority to enact and enforce their own rules relating to alcohol.

The Feds allowing the post office to ship alcohol won't change state rules regarding the shipping of alcohol.

[MauiSon]

True, but do states have any capability or authority for inspecting US Mail packages?

[sutton]

Hmm...you know that is interesting. Probably not. However, I'm sure if the state AG wanted to, he could get a subpoena from a Federal judge. Not sure I'd want to risk my business to be the test case.

[oke&coke]

On that note since federal law would trump state wouldn't the shipments be allowed?

[P&MLiquorsEric]

On that note since federal law would trump state wouldn't the shipments be allowed?

Federal law doesn't trump state laws. It simply means that you won't be committing a federal crime. Those state prisons aren't country clubs.

[sutton]

I'm no constitutional expert - but depends which court has authority. If the issue at hand isn't explicitly or implicitly granted to the Fed by the U.S. Constitution, than the state's constitution/laws would likely apply. Currently state law seems to be the authority with respect to alcohol shipping, so I doubt something like the U.S. Mail can be used to violate state law, would be my guess - pure speculation on my part though.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

I'm no constitutional expert - but depends which court has authority. If the issue at hand isn't explicitly or implicitly granted to the Fed by the U.S. Constitution, than the state's constitution/laws would likely apply. Currently state law seems to be the authority with respect to alcohol shipping, so I doubt something like the U.S. Mail can be used to violate state law, would be my guess - pure speculation on my part though.

[Jackinbox]

The state ABC licenses a business. State law forbids shipping. Shipping through the USPS might not be a federal crime but the state ABC might be inclined to pull your license.

Until they figure out how to get taxes from an out of state vendor operating outside their jurisdiction, it will remain illegal in most states.

Always follow the money when it comes to alcohol laws.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

I'm not sure if there is a definitive list as laws are always changing. Some states allow shipping of certain products (wine) but not others.

Some states don't expressly forbid it which allows out of state vendors the opportunity but not in state vendors.

Other states say no way, no how, not within our state.

[LCWoody]

I would much rather UPS or FedEx handle my bourbon. USPS can barely get junk mail to me, I definitely don't want them handling something as precious as bourbon.

[ChainWhip]

I would much rather UPS or FedEx handle my bourbon. USPS can barely get junk mail to me, I definitely don't want them handling something as precious as bourbon.

I'm for it even if I don't use USPS most of the time. It just adds a little more momentum towards opening things up.

Also, it seems a bit inconsistent for some states to enforce shipment of alcohol over taxes and then allow shipment of other products without regards to taxation.

[squire]

States tax alcohol and tobacco because they have public support which they don't have for ordinary consumer goods.

[MauiSon]

Also, it seems a bit inconsistent for some states to enforce shipment of alcohol over taxes and then allow shipment of other products without regards to taxation.

Edited November 5, 2013 by MauiSon

[AnotherCigarGuy]

Not really. Most States 'require' you to pay in-state taxes on all purchases delivered from out-of-state voluntarily. They simply have no efficient mechanism to enforce those laws YET.

[TunnelTiger]

We'll be able to buy marijuana legally from the big tobacco boys in all 50 states before they'll ever allow liquour by mail.