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More Red Flags In Regulatory Relief

COVIDwashing English In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has been relaxing alcohol regulations in California. Alcohol Justice finds this strategy concerning for public health, both in terms of encouraging excessive drinking and in terms of increasing alcohol-related susceptibility to the coronavirus. Despite our concerns, ABC has continued to issue these reliefs without asking for input from community or public health advocates. Below is Alcohol Justice's attempt to push back against the newest wave of industry-friendly deregulation. Our first response letter is archived here.

June 8, 2020

Jacob Appelsmith, Director
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834

Re: Alcohol Justice response to Notices of Regulatory Relief 3, 4 and 5

Dear Director Appelsmith,

BREAKING: Watchdogging Emergency Alcohol Deregulation

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control relaxed many of the longstanding rules constraining alcohol licensees. On Monday, April 14, Alcohol Justice Executive Director/CEO Bruce Lee Livingston delivered the following critique to ABC.

For the press release, click here.

For Spanish, click here (letter) or here (press release).

Dear Director Appelsmith,

We are writing in response to the regulatory relief for California alcohol licensees in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We understand that this is an extraordinary time, and that the relief is intended to protect residents’ livelihoods and the tens of thousands of reputable alcohol licensees. Nonetheless, as an alcohol industry watchdog, we feel obligated to call attention to red flags and missed opportunities in the emergency response.

GUEST VOICES: A Battle for Water Over Beer

Mexicali Resiste protesters marching by Mayra Jimenez, Advocacy Manager, Alcohol Justice

Last year while at a Community event in Los Angeles, CA I had the privilege to meet activists from Mexicali Resiste and learn about their activism against the efforts of the American alcohol corporation Constellation Brands which plans to deplete their local water aquifers to make beer. Over the next few months I continued to learn about their ongoing campaign. Most recently in February of this year their efforts received international recognition when the Mexican National Human Rights Commission reported that Constellation Brands violates the human right to water of Mexicali residents.

Alcohol Justice and the COVID-19 Crisis

The Marin County Civic Center and Spaceport is calming This is a quick update on how Alcohol Justice will continue to achieve our public health and safety mission as the alcohol industry watchdog during this very challenging time.

Our offices in San Rafael, California and Los Angeles, California are now temporarily closed with all staff working remotely from the safety of their homes. We are following the recommended best practices for social distancing and sheltering in place. We trust that this is also the response you are taking to protect yourself, your loved ones, and friends.