Ahhh yes, the title guarantees record TulsaNow post views.
I recently read an article that relates the amazing efforts Alcohol distributors are going to in an effort to keep up the status quo. In most states, alcohol must transfer from the maker -> to the interstate distributor -> to a local distributor -> then to the store -> and then to the customer. Clearly this yields higher prices as each level must add to the cost in order to profit.
Another disadvantage of this system is the hindrance on the market. Often distributors have a monopoly on a product or perhaps no distributor in an area will handle a product. Resulting in a limitation of supply, price fixing, or in the latter case the lack of choice. Yet another result of these laws is the unavailability of direct shipping of wines (it usurps the three tier system).
Recently a Supreme Court ruling held (basically) that it was an illegal restriction of interstate commerce if such laws effectively prohibit the sale of wines from one state, into another state.
GRANHOLM V. HEALD (03-1116) 544 U.S. 460 (2005),
available at http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/03-1116.ZO.htmlThe long and short of it for Oklahoma is this: Oklahoma wineries want access to other State's markets. That will not happen unless Oklahoma opens up as seemingly required by this ruling. However, instead of doing so Oklahoma - as long as every other state, is taking huge sums of money from Distributor Lobbyists to find a way to maintain the status quo:
Less alcohol choice, higher prices, and less Oklahoma wineries.
About Bills in Oklahoma:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20070507/ai_n19064494Around the nation:
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/124327.html- - -
So I was wondering if anyone knew anything else on this, or of course - had 2 cents to throw in. I am hard pressed to find a reason to keep this system as law. I am free to buy my firearms directly from a manufacturer, or nearly any other product. Yet unless it is an intrastate transaction most state's require a bottle of wine to change hands a half dozen times before I can pop the cork. Someone explain the bennefit to the citizens of Oklahoma.
Oh, and the rest of our blue laws suck too.
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