Warning: Delivery Of Pre-Ordered Liquor Restricted

Of significance this holiday season, the Michigan Legislature recently adopted changes to the Control Code of 1998, impacting the ability of certain wine retailers to make deliveries to their customer base.

In response to a federal lawsuit challenging the ability of the State of Michigan to essentially discriminate in favor of locally-licensed retailers, and to preclude out-state sellers from making such direct sales, the State of Michigan was faced with two choices: Allow any retailer nationwide to sell and/or ship wine to consumers in Michigan, without paying sales, use or other excise taxes, and without the imposition of procedures that would limit the ability of such retailers to make sales to minors, or alternatively, prohibit direct shipments of wine and other alcoholic product to Michigan based consumers. The State chose the latter.