http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_25920379/bill-allow-wine-tastings-at-farmers-markets-meets
Give me a break, Mr. Scippa. I think the kids will be just fine.
I read this article in the other direction. As someone moving from California to Maine this summer, I’m horrified at how much more backward and restrictive the Maine state government is to commerce in alcoholic beverages. For example, I could fill up several pages here just describing the trials and tribulations I’ve gone through to try to bring our modest personal wine collection with us in the move. Yep, that’s right; it’s illegal for us to bring our own wine with ua as I move into the state without a special permit. I’m sure you can guess how straightforward obtaining such a permit is.
Having lived in California for the last 7 years, I had no idea how crappy the situation was in many other states, such as Maine. In Maine, I have learned that I cannot:
- purchase wine from a retailer out of state;
- purchase wine from any winery that does not have a specific license to ship to Maine, which most small wineries on the West Coast do not;
- BYOB at any restaurant that sells alcohol; or
- purchase just about any limited production spirit, since all importation and sale of spirits are directly controlled by the state. But don’t worry, there are 57 varieties of Coffee Brandy available.
Of course, all of these rules are justified in terms of combating alcoholism and protecting the children. And of course, the net effect is that that three huge importer/distributors control the Maine market, and most of what is available is cheap industrial swill that a 12 year old with a paper route can afford.
On the other hand, this article is a great example of California continuing to liberalize the laws and regulations governing the sale and public consumption of alcohol in ways that will promote healthier attitudes toward drinking. In so many ways, I’m looking forward to living in Maine, but when it comes to access to both food and alcohol, god I’m going to miss it here.
Jay, I used to live in New England and appreciate the significance of the Blue Laws as antiquated and remnants of days gone by. I’m not sure the laws are justified as to combat alcoholism or protect children, but rather to maintain a profit for the distribution system in those states.
I think there is a distinction between the political justification and the practical justification. I know that whenever legislation is proposed to liberalize the laws governing commerce in alcohol, it is attacked on the basis that it will make alcohol cheaper and easier to obtain, thereby promoting alcoholism and underage drinking. But the practical justification is that the state currently makes a lot of money from its heavy-handed regulation and is worried that liberalization – particularly allowing transactions with retailers out of state – would deprive the state of revenue. Add in the factor that the 3 big liquor distributors are also some of the biggest campaign contributors in the state, and you have a system that is heavily weighted towards the status quo.
So we agree, then. 
“Kids don’t need to see alcohol being consumed where fresh fruit and vegetables are being sold.”
Ah, Marin. To me, the more important thing is to keep those unvaccinated brats out of circulation to begin with.
“We’re saying we’ve got to draw the line,” said Michael Scippa, director of public affairs for Alcohol Justice, a San Rafael advocacy group that works to prevent alcohol abuse.
Their organization states they use evidence based criteria, so I eagerly await their evidence that offering adults tastes of fine wine in a retail environment leads to pediatric alcohol abuse.