Alcohol prohibition was repealed by Washington Initiative 61 in 1932, and from 1933 to 2012, the WSLCB was the sole distributor of all liquors and spirits in the state.

These rigid restrictions were a perennial source of frustration for Washington-based warehouse club giant Costco, which blossomed during the 1980s and 1990s into one of the largest retailers in the United States—and eventually, the world.

During its nationwide expansion, Costco became experienced in selling wine, beer, and spirits through its warehouses in other states with much more relaxed rules (e.g., California).

[1] In the November 8, 2011 election, 60 percent of the electorate voted in favor of Initiative 1183, which brought several changes to the liquor distribution and retailing system.

ft. rule are granted for any former state or contract store that has chosen to remain open under private ownership, and for establishments that are in a "trade area" where no building exists that meets the 10,000 sq.

Many retailers no longer include these taxes in the shelf price, which has led to some sticker shock and confusion at the register.

The Enforcement Division conducts compliance checks where underage and undercover Investigative Aides attempt to purchase alcohol or tobacco products from state licensed businesses.

Individuals who sell to minors are cited and the associated business receives a notice of an administrative violation accompanied by associated fines.

In 2005, the Seattle City Council asked the Liquor Control Board to prohibit the sale of certain low-priced, highly-alcoholic beverages in an impoverished "Alcohol Impact Area".

The City requested the order after an earlier, "Good Neighbor" policy, in which the city requested convenience stores and liquor outlets in areas with large homeless populations voluntarily pull products known for their popularity with alcoholics, failed to adequately control the sale of such products to homeless individuals.

Among the products sought to be banned were over two dozen beers, and six wines: Cisco, Gino's Premium Blend, MD 20/20, Night Train, Thunderbird, and Wild Irish Rose.

These private entities, called trainers, offer MAST courses to individuals like bartenders, servers, waiters, and restaurant managers.