The alcohol beverage industry is one of the most tightly regulated areas you can go into, and trying to understand all the rules can be daunting. The bad news is that it can still be challenging to understand how particular laws apply to you even after you’ve been in the industry for years.
This is partly because some of the laws are left deliberately vague so that the authorities can apply them to a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, you can seek clarification if you are unsure through something called a declaratory statement.
This is essentially a request to the relevant authority to clarify a particular statute, rule or order. It’s not so much a general request but a specific one concerning your particular situation.
What you are asking is, in effect, what do I need to do to comply with the law in this instance? Or, if I were to do this, would you (the authorities) cause me problems over it?
It’s a big change from how many people do business
Some people subscribe to the go-ahead and ask questions later school of thought. Yet you cannot afford to do that in this industry, as falling foul of the laws could bring your company’s operations to an abrupt halt if the authorities catch you.
By asking first before you take action, you can save yourself the worry that comes from uncertainty and the worry that will result if the authorities deem you breached the rules.
There is legal help available if you wish to find out more about using declaratory statements to clarify how Florida alcohol beverage laws affect your business.