Missouri Liquor Advertising Restrictions Violate Sellers’ Speech

Missouri laws restricting how liquor producers, distributors, and retailers advertise their products violate the First Amendment, the Eighth Circuit said Jan. 8.

The state failed to show how the restrictions advance its interests in liquor regulation, the opinion by Judge Jane Kelly said.

Missouri’s statute prohibits producers and distributors from advertising on behalf of retailers. But it contains an exception for advertisements that inconspicuously list the names of unaffiliated retail businesses selling their product, as long as it excludes prices.

Under the regulations, retailers can’t advertise discounted prices outside their establishment, but can advertise generic happy hours.

Rejecting Missouri’s argument ...