"There are several sets of interests that have to be
taken into account when drafting alcohol legislation, which makes it one of the
trickiest industries to represent from a legal perspective," said Blau,
the chair of Gray Robinson's national alcohol beverage and food law practice.
"You have stakeholders with concerns in the public safety and health and
wellness sectors, while also having to consider implications at a political and
economic level. The fact that this bill was able to pass in its first session,
with little to no opposition on the voting floor, is truly extraordinary."
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| Drum Circle Distillers in Sarasota |
"From a legislative standpoint, we were able to work
with key legislators and leaders in the alcohol industry to pass a bill that
everyone could support," said Unger, the lead lobbyist on the effort out
of Gray Robinson's Tallahassee office.
This legislation will make Florida a place to build an alcohol distillery and could lead to significant growth for the state. Allowing the distilleries to have a showroom at the distillery and be able to sell the products can help make the distilleries a destination, and a place to truly show the value of their products.
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| Cape Spirits in Cape Coral |
JoAnn Elardo, owner of Cape Spirits in Cape Coral, Fla., can
finally hire the help she needs to offer tours due to the added revenue the
distillery will bring in from alcohol sales. Cape Spirits manufactures Wicked
Dolphin Rum. "Before we were just a name on a shelf," said
Elardo. "Now we have marketing capability. We can make our distillery a
destination and put our stamp on our product."
This is going to be a boom for all Florida and legislation that is long over due. ;o)
