Alexandria, VA – The Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) is proud to announce its partnership with PBS station WETA in Washington, D.C., to sponsor the upcoming documentary Prohibition in the Washington, D.C., media market.  This three-part, five-and-a-half hour film series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tells the story of the rise, rule and fall of the 18^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the era it encompassed. The series will premiere October 2 – 4 on PBS stations across the country.

“The Prohibition series will shine a national spotlight on the important role Prohibition played leading up to the 21^st Amendment, which established today’s effective system of alcohol regulation and distribution,” said CAP Advisory Council member and former Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch.  “Viewers of Prohibition will learn about the failures of this one-size-fits-all national alcohol policy and how it gave rise to a state-based system of alcohol controls.  It’s important for citizens to understand that the repeal of Prohibition is not the end of the story – it’s where the story of today’s successful system began.”

CAP Advisory Council member and former police chief and state alcohol regulator Jerry Oliver continued, “Unlike other nations around the world that are making headlines for unregulated or unsafe alcohol, the United States maintains a state-based system of alcohol regulation that has been extremely effective at supporting robust marketplace competition while at the same time promoting public safety.  The Center is excited to take part in this look back at our nation’s history and discussions of how society should regulate alcohol – a product that can have benefits in moderation but can also be abused.  This attention to the history and origin of America’s state-based alcohol regulatory system is very timely to the Center’s recent republication of Toward Liquor Control, which helped guide alcohol policy in the states post-Prohibition.”

To learn more about Toward Liquor Control, the featured topic of this year’s Center for Alcohol Policy’s Annual Essay Contest, please visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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 The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

CHICAGO, IL – The Fourth Annual Center for Alcohol Policy Alcohol Law Symposium kicked off day two in Chicago, Illinois, with a panel discussion titled, “Controversial Alcoholic Products.” Speakers included William H. Foster of the Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB); Bruce Livingston from the non-profit alcohol industry watchdog Alcohol Justice; Donald S. McGehee of the Michigan Department of Attorney General; and Stephanie Stumbo of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.  As recent news headlines have brought renewed attention to some controversial alcoholic products – from grain alcohol to large containers to high alcohol products – the panelists discussed industry responsibilities as well as the role of state and federal regulations.

A panel entitled “Hot Topics in Alcohol Regulation” highlighted a wide variety of issues and challenges facing state alcohol regulators and attorneys, from budget pressures to understanding which proposed laws would be subject to legal challenge.  Former Rhode Island Attorney General and current Center for Alcohol Policy advisor Patrick Lynch moderated the panel, which included William Kelley of the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and President of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators; and Stephanie Stumbo of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.  Each panelist drew from their own professional experiences to discuss issues their states have been facing in 2011.

The Symposium concluded with a panel on “Franchise Law Policy and Developments,” which featured Michael Madigan of Madigan, Dahl & Harlan, P.A.; and David Raber of Lumpe and Raber, Esq.  The attorneys offered insights on recent actions related to the relationships between alcohol suppliers and alcohol distributors, and they highlighted potential future activities in this important area of alcohol codes.

More details on speakers, education session topics and the Symposium agenda can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

CHICAGO, IL – The Fourth Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium kicked off Monday, September 12, with remarks by CAP Advisory Council member and former Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch. “This gathering is a key opportunity for state alcohol regulators, public health advocates, members of the alcohol beverage industry and others interested in alcohol policy issues to come together to learn and share ideas,” said Lynch.

Washington Attorney General and National Association of Attorneys General President Rob McKenna delivered a keynote address on the role state attorneys general (AGs) play in regulatory, law enforcement and public health functions.  He addressed the “unprecedented levels of youth exposure to alcohol marketing,” especially in today’s age of digital and social media.  He referenced studies that show exposure of young people to alcohol marketing can speed up the onset of drinking and increase the amount consumed by those already drinking.

“AGs have an obligation to protect our youngest citizens – as well as responsible businesses – from potentially-unfair marketing practices by some in the industry who place short term profits and market share over the lives of our young people and public health,” explained McKenna.  “That’s why AGs want to ensure a fair and level playing field for companies to compete.”

Alcohol regulators, law enforcement, a professor of alcoholic beverage law, public health advocates and alcohol law attorneys spoke on panels about topics including:

• The Timeless Importance of Toward Liquor Control
• Who are the Stakeholders in Alcohol Regulation?
• Age Verification and Alcohol
• Privatization of Alcohol Systems
• Law Enforcement’s Role in Alcohol Regulation
• Supreme Court and 21^st Amendment Roundup

The Fourth Annual CAP Alcohol Law Symposium continues Tuesday, September 13, at The Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. More details on speakers, education session topics and the Symposium agenda can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

For live updates from the event, follow @AlcoholPolicy on Twitter using the hashtag #CAPLaw.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

Discounted Room Rate Available at Hyatt Regency Chicago until August 19

Alexandria, VA – The Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Fourth Annual Alcohol Law Symposium to be held September 11-13, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, will feature 10 educational sessions on issues currently at the forefront of alcohol law.  Each session will feature experts – including professors of alcoholic beverage law, state regulators, attorneys general, and industry officials – who will discuss and debate current alcohol laws and challenges.

Educational sessions at this year’s Symposium include:

• 21^st Amendment and Supreme Court Roundup
• Developments in Franchise Law
• Age Verification and Alcohol
• Controversial Alcoholic Drinks: Past, Present and Future
• Law Enforcement’s Role in Alcohol Policy
• Privatization of State-Run Alcohol Systems
• Hot Topics in Litigation and Regulation
• Diverse Stakeholders Confronting Alcohol Policy
• The Timeless Importance of Toward Liquor Control

The keynote address will be delivered by Washington Attorney General and National Association of Attorneys General President Rob McKenna, who will discuss the role state attorneys general play in policy debates about alcohol; a state’s role under the 21^st Amendment; society’s interest in fighting the abuse of alcohol, underage drinking and crime; and protecting small businesses and consumers.

To register online, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org/law-symposium/.  Government and non-profit employees receive special discounted registration rates.  For hotel reservations at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, please call 312-564-1234 and reference the Center for Alcohol Policy to receive the special negotiated room rate of $229 plus taxes per night for single/double occupancy.  Government employees receive a special per diem rate of $173 plus taxes per night.  The last day to make hotel reservations and receive the discounted room rate is Friday, August 19, 2011. The CAP’s guest room block can sell out prior to August 19.  Once the block is sold, rooms and rates cannot be guaranteed.

The CAP works with state continuing legal education (CLE) boards to provide attending attorneys with CLE credits.  Nearly 40 states approved the 2010 Alcohol Law Symposium for CLE credits.

For more details about the 2011 CAP Alcohol Law Symposium, including a list of speakers and schedule, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or email info@centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

Alexandria, VA – Washington Attorney General and National Association of Attorneys General President Rob McKenna will be the keynote speaker at the Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Fourth Annual Alcohol Law Symposium held September 11-13, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.  This annual event brings together a wide range of experts in the field of alcohol law – including some of the best legal minds in the country, state regulators, attorneys general, educators and industry officials – to discuss and debate current alcohol laws and challenges.

Attorney General McKenna will discuss the role state attorneys general play in policy debates about alcohol; a state’s role under the 21^st Amendment; society’s interest in fighting the abuse of alcohol, underage drinking and crime; and protect small businesses and consumers.

Another feature presentation of the symposium will be a panel discussion on “The Timeless Importance of Toward Liquor Control.”  In 1933, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. commissioned Raymond B. Fosdick and Albert L. Scott to study alcohol regulation and prepare America for the return of legal alcohol and its regulation following the passage of the 21^st Amendment which ended Prohibition.  The CAP is pleased to help put this seminal work on American alcohol policy back into the public space by republishing this out-of-print book.  The panel will discuss how Toward Liquor Control provided guidance to policymakers as they set up regulatory systems for alcohol and the extent to which that framework still exists today.

To register online, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org/law-symposium/.  Government and non-profit employees receive special discounted registration rates. For hotel reservations at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, please call 312-564-1234 and reference the Center for Alcohol Policy to receive the special negotiated room rate of $229 plus taxes per night for single/double occupancy.  Government employees receive a special per diem rate of $173 plus taxes per night.

The CAP works with state continuing legal education (CLE) boards to provide attending attorneys with CLE credits.  Nearly 40 states approved the 2010 Alcohol Law Symposium for CLE credits.

More details about the 2011 CAP Alcohol Law Symposium, including a list of speakers and agenda, will be available on the CAP website, www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org, as they become available. For further information, please e-mail info@centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policymakers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.