Torrance Daily Breeze: Opinion: Pass SB 620 to keep distilled spirits shipping
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused devastating lockdowns and restrictions on businesses out of concern for the public health. But there has been another side to the pandemic — namely the (usually temporary) lifting of certain rules and regulations. That’s what allowed for the proliferation of outdoor dining opportunities, cocktails-to-go and direct-to-consumer shipping of distilled spirits. Senate Bill 620, introduced by Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, would make the latter permanently legal. For the sake of consumer freedom and distilleries, it merits support.
During the pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom used his executive authority to lift the previous restrictions on such direct-to-consumer shipping. Wineries have been allowed to ship directly to consumers for decades, but distilleries have not had this same privilege.
