Oklahoma liquor laws

[bchris02]

Well convenience/grocery stores have fought refrigeration because unless we move to single strength, that would put them at a disadvantage. Hopefully these proposed changes satisfy everyone (with the exception of the religious right).

[jerrywall]

Well convenience/grocery stores have fought refrigeration because unless we move to single strength, that would put them at a disadvantage. Hopefully these proposed changes satisfy everyone (with the exception of the religious right).

Sure, but they're not the RLAO.

[bchris02]

Sure, but they're not the RLAO.

I didn't think the RLAO has ever been against refrigeration. Some smaller liquor stores are because they don't want to have to purchase the equipment. Refrigeration would have passed this last session had there not have been that amendment to go single strength.

[Bunty]

The Tulsa World version of the story with video. Cold beer at liquor stores, strong beer and wine at gas stations closer to reality - Tulsa World: State

[Bunty]

Great news!

If that is correct, the only thing standing in the way of modernization will be the religious right and MADD groups. I'll guess we will see how much power they still have in this state.

I doubt the religious right has much strength other than in the thinly populated counties, around 24 of them, where liquor by the drink is still banned. However, I was surprised that it was able to keep liquor by the drink on Sunday from being legalized in Pottawatomie County where Shawnee is.

[TheTravellers]

...
Missing from the RLAO¹s proposal is the ability for liquor stores to be open before 10 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

I believe the Tulsa World article said that this wasn't a popular proposal, not enough support for it, not worth trying to fight for, the other stuff is more important.

[FighttheGoodFight]

Chances this makes it to the ballot in 2016?

[bchris02]

One thing is from the article it appears that grocery stores and convenience stores will only be able to sell up to 6% ABV, meaning you will be able to get a real Budweiser or Samuel Adams, but you will still need to go to the liquor store for a COOP F5. Am I reading this correctly?

If so, I think this is an acceptable compromise.

[AP]

If I read the comment correctly from a rep at RLAO, I believe you are correct. Only up to 6%.

[Dustin]

I believe the Tulsa World article said that this wasn't a popular proposal, not enough support for it, not worth trying to fight for, the other stuff is more important.

Exactly. Heaven forbid someone go to a liquor store at 10pm, buy a bottle of wine, and go home and drink a glass! THE HORROR!

Meanwhile people are stumbling out of bars at 2am and driving home drunk.

[PhiAlpha]

Great news!

If that is correct, the only thing standing in the way of modernization will be the religious right and MADD groups. I'll guess we will see how much power they still have in this state.

The opposition you mention has absolutely zero real power in this. The opposition to almost all liquor law changes come from the specially interests within the liquor distributor, store, and gas station lobbies. None of this is about religion or conservatism, it's all about special interest groups not wanting to lose a piece of the pie.

[jerrywall]

Exactly. Heaven forbid someone go to a liquor store at 10pm, buy a bottle of wine, and go home and drink a glass! THE HORROR!

Meanwhile people are stumbling out of bars at 2am and driving home drunk.

Unless you're advocating for 24 hour bars and liquor stores, there's always gonna be a cutoff time. If folks can't plan for 9pm then... well. It's a pretty small deal when compared with refrigerated beer, growlers, and such.

[foodiefan]

. . . article states that RLAO supports wine sales in "selected grocery stores". . .any info on what the proposed criteria are for a "selected grocery store"??

[jerrywall]

. . . article states that RLAO supports wine sales in "selected grocery stores". . .any info on what the proposed criteria are for a "selected grocery store"??

Based on previous proposals I'd guess a minimum sq footage.

[bille]

I didn't think the RLAO has ever been against refrigeration. Some smaller liquor stores are because they don't want to have to purchase the equipment. Refrigeration would have passed this last session had there not have been that amendment to go single strength.

They weren't initially but when 383 changed to allow single point they became against the bill so technically they weren't against refrigeration but they were against the bill, until they where able to add in the things they needed to make things "fair" again.

One thing is from the article it appears that grocery stores and convenience stores will only be able to sell up to 6% ABV, meaning you will be able to get a real Budweiser or Samuel Adams, but you will still need to go to the liquor store for a COOP F5. Am I reading this correctly?

If so, I think this is an acceptable compromise.

I can't seem to find where in the article it mentions a 6% cap, can somebody point me towards that or the article that references it?

[bchris02]

Unless you're advocating for 24 hour bars and liquor stores, there's always gonna be a cutoff time. If folks can't plan for 9pm then... well. It's a pretty small deal when compared with refrigerated beer, growlers, and such.

I agree with this. For everything else we will be gaining, keeping the 9PM closing time in place is a small deal.

Question is, will grocery stores be able to sell beer and wine all the way to 2AM like they can now with 3.2 beer?

[bchris02]

The opposition you mention has absolutely zero real power in this. The opposition to almost all liquor law changes come from the specially interests within the liquor distributor, store, and gas station lobbies. None of this is about religion or conservatism, it's all about special interest groups not wanting to lose a piece of the pie.

At the ballot box, the primary reason people will vote "no" will be religious reasons or fear of more drunk drivers on the road. The average Oklahoman cares very little about protecting the interest of the liquor stores. We need to make sure if this gets to the ballot, it passes.

After the failure of Arkansas to end prohibition statewide last fall I believe its shortsighted to assume that modernization will pass with flying colors. I believe that it likely will, especially since the Oklahoma counties where liquor by the drink is still banned are sparsely populated, rural counties that don't pull a lot of weight, but it definitely isn't a sure thing. I personally know two people who say they oppose changes because in their words, "this state already has enough DUIs." If this gets on the ballot, there will need to be a campaign to educate the public on what they are actually voting for to maybe offset what they are hearing from their pastors or from MADD PSAs.

[AP]

I can't seem to find where in the article it mentions a 6% cap, can somebody point me towards that or the article that references it?

In the comments section of the article on TW, there is a gentleman Named Bryan Kerr who mentions it.

Bryan Kerr posted at 7:02 pm on Tue, Sep 15, 2015.
RLAOPosts: 1
Neither the headline nor the story properly represents what the RLAO has proposed.
Our proposal is 100% in line with what the public has said they want; more convenience without sacrificing public safety. We do support allowing all current “3.2” outlets, including grocery and convenience stores, to sell full strength beer up to 6% ABV. This would include the brands they already carry plus open up access to dozens, perhaps hundreds, of others.
The public has shown great concern for allowing too many outlets to sell stronger malt beverages and wine. Unfortunately, this means that we cannot support allowing QuikTrip or any other convenience store to begin stocking products such as Four Loko, MD 20/20 and Colt 45. This not only amplifies the negative societal issues associated with alcohol but also seriously decreases the chance that this bill would pass at all.
As our full release noted, the two major contributing factors to alcohol-related crime are density of outlets and hours of operation. We think we’ve found a good balance that best serves the Oklahoma consumer by modernizing our laws but keeping safeguards in place to minimize the undesirable consequences.
You can read the entire release at http://RLAO.org/modernization.pdf.

[LakeEffect]

Who is "the public" that Mr. Kerr so strongly defends?

[jerrywall]

The folks who participated in the polling that they had done in cooperation with Senator Bice?

[bille]

In the comments section of the article on TW, there is a gentleman Named Bryan Kerr who mentions it.

We're missing part of the story here then. At the RLAO link:
"2. As a matter of convenience, wine should be available for purchase in a limited number of
grocery stores."

However in his comment at the TW he states "up to 6%" and states that convenience stores shouldn't be able to sell high point stuff like four loko, etc. Sounds like they'll have to have a license change or addition to differentiate between convenience stores and grocers, OR a distinction that has a minimum square footage of grocer to be able to sell > 6% and thus wine.

For those that don't know, Bryan Kerr is the president of RLAO and the owner of Moore Liquor.

[Bunty]

What the Ale: Could Oklahoma change the rest of the country's 3.2 beer laws? - Tulsa World: What The Ale

I don't get how Oklahoma produces the most 3.2 beer, since Colorado and Minnesota have more people.

[jerrywall]

On a side note... I heard today from a strong source that the deal is done for New Belgium to hit Oklahoma in January. If true, that puts an interesting spin on their previous comments.

[bille]

What the Ale: Could Oklahoma change the rest of the country's 3.2 beer laws? - Tulsa World: What The Ale

I don't get how Oklahoma produces the most 3.2 beer, since Colorado and Minnesota have more people.

OK doesn't produce more, they consume more...or so they say. My theory is two-fold, those other states have a lot better craft beer culture (Colorado's governor built a brewpub before becoming governor) and just more craft breweries per capita, not to mention despite being a "3.2 state" their laws are less restricted in other areas. Second, we have more bud and coors drinking rednecks.

On a side note... I heard today from a strong source that the deal is done for New Belgium to hit Oklahoma in January. If true, that puts an interesting spin on their previous comments.

I shared a story yesterday about another state NB was expanding to and hit the crowd with my own question of pessimism. In return several sources said that NB was in town last week with positive vibes and many of those in the know think March-ish, which is quite a bit sooner than I'd have guessed!

[jerrywall]

There are those who will still swear by Bud and Coors as their beer of choice. I don't agree with their choice, but they're free to make it. Taste is personal (even if bad).