(a)
(1) A person other than a distiller, manufacturer, rectifier, or importer may apply to the Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division for a minimum wholesale liquor permit that allows the person to sell spirituous liquors, wine as defined in § 3-9-301(7), hard cider, and malt liquors at wholesale.
(2) A minimum wholesale liquor permit holder shall not sell more than a combined total of twenty thousand (20,000) cases of spirituous liquors, wine as defined in § 3-9-301(7), hard cider, or malt liquors.
(3) A case is a container that holds nine liters (9 l) of beverages.
(b) The application shall be in writing and shall provide information concerning the applicant for the minimum wholesale liquor permit and the premises to be used by the applicant as the director requires.
(c) The application shall be accompanied by a certified check, cash, or postal money order for the amount required by this section for the minimum wholesale liquor permit.
(d) If the director grants the application, he or she shall issue a minimum wholesale liquor permit in a form as determined by the rules of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.
(e) The minimum wholesale liquor permit shall contain a description of the premises permitted and in form and substance shall be a minimum wholesale liquor permit to the person specifically designated to sell spirituous liquors, wine as defined in § 3-9-301(7), hard cider, and malt liquors for beverage purposes.
(f)
(1) A person other than a person holding a distiller's, manufacturer's, rectifier's, or minimum wholesale liquor permit shall not sell spirituous liquors, wine as defined in § 3-9-301(7), and malt liquors at wholesale.
(2) A wholesaler holding a minimum wholesale liquor permit shall not sell or buy from another person unless the other person holds a minimum wholesale liquor permit, but a wholesaler may export from or import into this state spirituous liquors, wine as defined in § 3-9-301(7), hard cider, and malt liquors under rules promulgated by the division.
(g) A wholesaler holding a minimum wholesale liquor permit shall not sell or contract to sell any spirituous liquors, wine as defined in § 3-9-301(7), hard cider, and malt liquors to a dispensary, hotel, restaurant, or club if the dispensary, hotel, restaurant, or club is not authorized under § 3-4-601 to receive, possess, transport, distribute, or sell spirituous liquors, wine as defined in § 3-9-301(7), hard cider, and malt liquors.
(h) A minimum wholesale liquor permitee of spirituous liquors, wine as defined in § 3-9-301(7), hard cider, and malt liquors in Arkansas shall purchase spirituous liquors, wine as defined in § 3-9-301(7), hard cider, and malt liquors only from a distiller, importer, rectifier, or a domestic wine producer. However, this restriction does not apply to the purchase of native wines.
(i)
(1) The minimum wholesale liquor permit fee is two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each separate establishment.
(2) This section does not apply to residents of Arkansas who store, transport, and sell wine at wholesale manufactured by them in this state.
(j) The provisions of § 3-4-606 shall apply to a wholesaler who has a minimum wholesale liquor permit.