Can you lose your license for minor in poss of alcohol?

ok i got caught up in santa cruz california for running a stop sign. the cop searched me for the aroma of marijuana but didnt find any. instead he found a open bottle of alcohol.. i was not drinking and driving but i still lost my licensce for a year. well its restricted so i can still drive to work.. i was pulled ove yesterday and asked the cop if the ruling was right and he said they can only restrict it for dui. sounds pretty gay to me.. anyone know something that i dont or know anything that i can do... thanxs