The following is a summary of the advisory the SLA adopted in September of 2026. 1. Charitable Donation References on Brand Labels (2026 Advisory) Please bear in mind that while it is not in the Advisory, under New York Law Businesses engaged in cause advertising are classified as commercial co-venturers and are subject to mandatory […]
The Personnel Records Law taking effect November 8, 2026 is a New York State law. It was enacted as L.2026, c. 293, and adds a new Section 210-b to the New York Labor Law N.Y. Lab. Law § 210-b (McKinney). Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill (S3460) on September 9, 2026, and it takes effect […]
Suppliers and wholesalers should have a written distributor agreement. Before entering into such an agreement, both parties should check the applicable law and rules of each state in the proposed territory. Some states have franchise laws that make it difficult to cancel or curtail such an agreement. In addition, there may be laws that limit […]
Starting on March 5, 2026, it will be legal for an on-premises retailer, licensed to sell such beverage, to purchase up to a total of six bottles of wine or liquor in a week from package stores, provided those package stores are licensed to sell the beverage in question. The wine or liquor purchased from […]
When California’s Assembly Bill 1246 (AB 1246) takes effect on January 1, 2026, it will mark a notable shift in how distilled spirits can reach consumers. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 3, 2025, the law gives both California craft distillers and certain out-of-state craft producers the opportunity to ship their spirits directly to […]
On August 22, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed Assembly Bill A7040-B, creating a new liquor license category for for-profit membership clubs. The law, which takes effect on February 18, 2026, represents a long-awaited update to New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. Historically, only not-for-profit clubs—such as fraternal organizations or benevolent associations—could obtain a club license […]
Recently the State Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”) notified 152 cannabis dispensaries and applicants that the location of their businesses were too close to a school or house of worship to qualify for a license. New York Cannabis Law §72(6) provides, “No cannabis retail licensee shall locate a storefront within five hundred feet of a school grounds as such […]
There seems to be a great deal of confusion surrounding the concept of wine products. In New York, “wine product” is a term of art that must be distinguished from “Wine”, “low alcohol wine”, and “wine specialty items.” Pursuant to §3 (36) of New York’s ABC Law, “Wine” means the product of the normal alcoholic […]
TTB Registration Ever retail licensee has an obligation to register with the TTB by filing form TTB 5630.5d (Alcohol Dealer Registration. The form is supposed to be filed before engaging in business and a new form is to be filed for each location. The registration information is to be updated before July 1st of each […]