Legislation is in motion to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee grocery stores. Although this debate has come up before, it is being approached anew by Rep. David Shepard and Sen. Bill Ketron.

The new legislation is all about local freedom. It would allow local governments to let their people decide by a vote whether they would welcome wine sales at grocery stores in their area.

In addition, Rep. Shepard and Sen. Ketron are introducing a bill that would allow Tennessee wineries to sell directly to grocery stores. Jarron Springer, president of the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association, has said that “Tennessee consumers overwhelmingly support wine sales in food stores.”

As for the opposing argument? It is possible, according to the Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association, that the bill would only increase the profits of large corporate grocery chains, putting smaller grocers out of business. And of course, there are the constant concerns of law enforcement agencies whenever restrictions on alcohol are loosened.