CAROLINA ON MY MIND: COURT KEEPS 3-TIER

Circuit Court to Ban Direct ShippingA three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a federal district judge's ruling that the double standard of in-state wineries being allowed to direct ship while out-of-state wineries can't, violates the Commerce Clause. No big deal there. HOWEVER, the panel set aside the judge's previous solution of striking down North Carolina 's entire alcoholic-beverage regulations (see BBD 02-03-03 ) and allow flagrant direct shipping by everybody and their underage cousins. A