9 & 10 News May 24, 2021 A big win for local distilleries in Northern Michigan and beyond, as a new bill package opens up the market for the craft brands. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a pack of four bills Monday in Grand Rapids that will make it much easier for craft distilleries to distribute and market their hard seltzers and canned cocktails. Strict liquor laws in Michigan used to require massive red tape for distilleries to get lower alcohol, small format beverages licensed by the state and to distributors. Now the red tape is cut and it is much more similar to the rules seen by brewers and cider makers.