Michigan Can Limit Online Wine Sales to In-State Retailers

A Michigan law that allows only in-state retailers to sell wine online to state consumers is valid under the 21st Amendment, the Sixth Circuit said Tuesday.

The 21st Amendment allows states to regulate liquor sales within their borders, and prohibiting out-of-state direct deliveries of alcohol to state consumers is a valid exercise of that authority, the opinion by Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton said.

Lebamoff Enterprises Inc., an Indiana wine retailer, argued the restriction violates the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Michigan’s law promotes legitimate state interests, and any limits on a free market of alcohol distribution flow from the ...