The 5-4 ruling allows suppliers to designate one wholesaler for the entire state. Small alcohol wholesalers that didn’t merge with big national wholesalers had sought the law.
“The law is clearly, palpably, and plainly inconsistent,” with the constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2016 that allowed manufacturers to choose a single wholesaler, Justice James Winchester wrote for the majority.
The amendment also allowed wine and strong beer to be sold in grocery and convenience stores and cold, strong beer in liquor stores. The law “is not a proper use of legislative authority,” he said.