Liquor Initiative Upheld By State Supreme Court

A day before it goes into effect, the court upheld the voter- approved initiative that privatizes liquor sales in Washington State. Vodka, tequila, rum and other spirits will go on sale as scheduled at hundreds of retail stores across the state tomorrow.

Voters approved Initiative 1183 last fall, taking apart Washington's state-run liquor system, which was formed in the 1930s in the wake of Prohibition.

The measure, backed Costco Wholesale Corp., allows stores larger than 10,000 square feet and some smaller stores to sell spirits beginning Friday.

Opponents of Initiative 1183 had filed suit, arguing that it violated state rules requiring initiatives to address only one subject because it included a provision to set aside millions of dollars for public safety.

In addition to Costco, most of the large grocery stores in our area will begin selling liquor tomorrow.

Here's a link to the Washington State Liquor Control Board site.