The Center for Alcohol Policy is pleased to announce Josephine Thomas, a Florida attorney, as the winner of its Second Annual Essay Contest.  Thomas’ essay, “The Brewing Battle over Alcohol:  Making the Case for State Regulation,” focused on the importance of the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition and established today’s system of state-based alcohol regulation,  and argued that it is crucial for states to remain the primary rule makers with regard to alcohol regulation.

“For over seventy-five years, the states, consistent with the letter and spirit of the Twenty-first Amendment, have provided a workable, pragmatic solution to the problem of alcohol regulation,” Thomas’ essay states. “Such a pluralistic approach has yielded a state-by-state regulatory system that essentially functions as a patchwork quilt of local solutions to local problems.  This rich tapestry of alcohol regulations among the fifty states should not be displaced by federal preemption.”

Martha Lantz, an attorney in Washington state, was named the second place winner in this year’s contest.  Jason Koransky, a law student from Illinois, and Majid Rizvi, a graduate student from Texas, tied for third place.

The winning entrants will receive prizes of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 respectively.

The Essay Contest is intended to foster debate, analysis and examination of state alcohol regulation.  The theme of this year’s contest was: “State regulation of alcohol is important because…”  There were more than 30 entries that focused on a wide variety of topics pertaining to state alcohol regulation, including:  legal analysis, law enforcement perspective, tax collection, public health and other relevant topics.

“Challenges to state-based alcohol regulation are very real in states across the country,” said CAP Advisory Council Chair and former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro. “This year’s essay contest offered a unique opportunity to address the impact of state alcohol regulation on society and its role in protecting Americans in today’s environment.”

Read essays from 2009 winners:

1st Place: Josephine Thomas, Florida

2nd Place: Martha Lantz, Washington

3rd Place (tie): Jason Koransky, Illinois and Majid Rizvi, Texas

The CAP has partnered with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association (GBWA) to launch a dramatic documentary which tells the very real and emotional story of Chris Sandy, a convicted drunk driver who is now serving time behind bars. The documentary is intended to show young people the consequences of underage drinking and drunk driving.

To request a copy of the 30-minute DVD, e-mail info@centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

* 70% support the right of individual states to set their own laws and regulations surrounding the sale of alcohol
* 89% agree that state and local laws regarding alcohol regulations should be decided by lawmakers and citizens – not judges
* 96% support laws and regulations that are proven to reduce the number of drunk driving fatalities and prevent underage drinking
* More than 85% believe that beer, wine and liquor should NOT be sold online

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