§ 2. Policy of state and purpose of chapter. It is hereby declared as
the policy of the state that it is necessary to regulate and control the
manufacture, sale and distribution within the state of alcoholic
beverages for the purpose of fostering and promoting temperance in their
consumption and respect for and obedience to law; for the primary
purpose of promoting the health, welfare and safety of the people of the
state, promoting temperance in the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
and, to the extent possible, supporting economic growth, job
development, and the state's alcoholic beverage production industries
and its tourism and recreation industry; and which promotes the
conservation and enhancement of state agricultural lands; provided that
such activities do not conflict with the primary regulatory objectives
of this chapter. It is hereby declared that such policies will best be
carried out by empowering the liquor authority of the state to determine
whether public convenience and advantage will be promoted by the
issuance of licenses to traffic in alcoholic beverages, the increase or
decrease in the number thereof and the location of premises licensed
thereby, subject only to the right of judicial review provided for in
this chapter. It is the purpose of this chapter to carry out these
policies in the public interest.