A bill pending in the Michigan legislature would permit Michiganders to order wine from out-of-state retailers. Currently one in- and out-of-state wineries can ship direct to consumers. The measure is opposed by the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association (MBWWA).
“This legislation will water down consumer protections and remove a crucial check and balance to monitor and regulate what is being shipped to the doorsteps of Michigan consumers,” said Spencer Nevins, MBWWA president.
“For the last year-and-a-half we have monitored illegal wine shipments coming into our state and the numbers are staggering. These bills will only further open the floodgates to bad actors who are illegally shipping alcohol into the state with little regard for consumer safety, while avoiding paying state taxes in the process.”
Tom Wark, president, National Association of Wine Retailers, said Michigan was losing millions in tax revenue and spending millions in litigation cost to keep out-of-state bev/al retailers from shipping to Michigan.