Michigan Supreme Court, 1904

People v. Longwell

People v. Longwell
Michigan Supreme Court · Decided April 5, 1904 · Hooker, Other
136 Mich. 302; 99 N.W. 1; 1904 Mich. LEXIS 696

People v. Longwell

Opinion of the Court

Hooker, J.

The stipulated facts show that the defendant, a druggist who had given the bond required, made sales of intoxicating liquor in excess of three gallons, and of twelve quart bottles, for medicinal purposes, and in good faith. It is admitted that the sales were in every way lawful, unless by reason of the quantity. Having been convicted of violating the law in a local option county, he has brought the case here for review on exceptions before sentence.

The prosecutor claims that, in selling the quantities mentioned, he acted as and became a wholesaler of liquor, under 2 Comp. Laws, § 5380, being section 2 of the general liquor law, which says that persons who sell liquor by the drink, or in quantities of three gallons or less, or *303one dozen quart bottles or less, at any one time, to any person or persons, shall be deemed retail dealers, while persons selling in quantities of more than three gallons, or twelve quart bottles, at one time, shall be deemed wholesale dealers.

Section 1 of the same act (2 Comp. Laws, § 5379) provides for the payment of a tax by all persons whose business, in whole or in part, consists in selling liquor, and •fixes the amount of such tax. Section 3 of said act provides that:

“The penal provisions of this act shall not apply to druggists who sell liquors for chemical, scientific, medicinal, mechanical, or sacramental purposes only, and in strict compliance with the law. * * * But such druggist shall be allowed to sell said liquors for medicinal, chemical, scientific, mechanical, and sacramental purposes only, without the payment of any tax specified in section one, and subject to the following restrictions and conditions.”

There is nothing in this act which justifies the claim of the prosecution, viz., that the druggist is limited to selling quantities within the limit prescribed by. the statute for retailers.

The conviction is reversed, and a new trial ordered.

The other Justices concurred.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.