07/18/2025
Guest Speaker for the Paris Rotary Club on Thursday was former state representative and recently added Western Grand Division Commissioner of the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Control board, Tim Wirgau. Charged with the responsibility of licensing and permitting, prevention of underage alcohol sales, and trade practice violations; the TABC was created as an insulated commission in 1963.
In 2024,
* Package stores sold $1.3 billion, resulting in $100 million in
taxes.
* Liquor by the drink sold $1.5 billion, resulting in $228 million in
taxes (mostly to schools).
* Gallonage tax on wine/distilled spirits $87 million to general
fund
* 15 million gallons of distilled spirits sold in TN
* 14 million gallons of wine sold in TN
* 123 million gallons of beer sold in TN
Of most recent concern to citizens is the problem of va**ng and the dangers to our youth. According to Wirgau and TABC stats, underage v**e consumption and possession are at an all-time high. "Our ultimate mission to protect TN families fits within this new responsibility." Manufacturers have developed a way of keeping the THC, which is generally illegal, to a low enough level in the product on the shelf to meet guidelines for sale, but when smoked that amount increases to above legal amounts for consumption.
Two years ago, the general assembly tasked the TN Department of AG with regulating retail sales. This year, the general assembly transferred that responsibility to the TABC. The TABC will hire 20 new agents and 8 new staff to help current staff regulate the industry beginning January 1, 2026
