Why Can't We Sell Alcohol . . .
Why Can't We Sell Alcohol Like Tires and Mayonnaise?

Are our alcohol laws antiquated?  Do we have a “nanny state”?  Is selling more alcohol in more places really a “big deal”?  These are the kinds of questions flying around our communities today.  In addition, public officials are often swayed by arguments that greater alcohol sales will generate much needed additional revenue.  So what’s wrong with that? 
This workshop will answer these questions. Law enforcement and community members need to know how deregulation will impact them.  For example, more alcohol outlets mean more opportunities for sales to minors and intoxicated persons which, in turn, will strain enforcement resources.  Law enforcement and community members are often left out of public discussions that will impact them greatly.  This is because alcohol regulations are couched in terms that most people don’t understand. Proposed law changes often refer to “outlet density”, license quotas, or other phrases which describe how licenses are granted.  This may not get much attention.  The same thing is true for alcohol definitions which have changed incrementally to the point where products like”blackout in a can” are sold in grocery stores.  Changes to legal definitions for beer, wine, and spirits may not seem very important, but they determine where, when and how alcohol can be sold.    Today, we face major deregulation threats.  Last year, Washington State went from one of the most regulated to the most deregulated state in our nation via a ballot election sponsored and paid for by Costco.  Community members need to be prepared when these issues to come to their state. 
Workshop objectives are: 
1.Explain our states’ alcohol regulatory systems in terms most people can understand. 
2.Describe the substantial public benefits alcohol regulations provide as demonstrated by credible research. 
3.Help “decode” legislative deregulation proposals so community members and law enforcement are alerted to these issues.

Northwest Alcohol Conference