A distributor shall not engage, either directly or indirectly, in doing business in any market until he has applied for and obtained a license from the department. A store is not required to make application for a license but is considered to be a de facto licensee as required in this chapter. The department may classify licensees and may issue licenses to distributors to produce, receive, process, manufacture, or sell any of the products covered by this chapter in any particular market.
The department may decline to grant a license or may suspend or revoke a license already granted upon due notice and after a hearing before the department whenever the applicant or licensee has violated regulations issued by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, or any provisions of this chapter.
The department may, in lieu of license suspensions, invoke a penalty of not less than fifty dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. All receipts from the penalties must be paid by the department to the State Treasurer.