Mississippi Native Spirit Law; revise to include craft spirits.
What changed between versions
Added new definitions for 'craft spirit' (spirits produced in Mississippi without the 51% local ingredient requirement), 'craft distillery,' and related terms to distinguish them from 'native spirits' and 'native distilleries.'
Added new definitions for 'native wine,' 'native winery,' 'bed and breakfast inn,' 'spa facility,' 'art studio or gallery,' 'cooking school,' 'campus,' and 'warehouse operator' to clarify regulatory categories.
Modified the definition of 'qualified resort areas' to include over 70 new specific locations, municipalities, and facilities throughout Mississippi where alcohol sales are now permitted.
Modified permit eligibility to allow native wine, native spirit, and craft spirit producers and retailers to continue operating even if a county votes to reinstate prohibition laws.
Added requirements for craft distilleries to register with the Secretary of State and apply for permits under the same section as native distilleries.
Modified Section 67-1-41 to clarify that the department is the sole wholesale distributor of alcoholic beverages, with exceptions for native wines, native spirits, and craft spirits.
Modified permit classes to include a new 'Class 5' for craft spirit producers, authorizing them to manufacture, import, bottle, store, and sell craft spirits.
