The Oregon Liquor Control Commission made some significant changes to Oregon liquor laws on Friday. They approved a new rule that will make it easier for big grocery chains to sell hard alcohol.
Currently hard alcohol is only sold in liquor stores and not in grocery chains. The new rule the OLCC approved will also allow liquor outlets to sell beer and wine in addition to hard alcohol. This is a “pilot program” that the state is currently experimenting with.
They also granted a liquor license to a portion of food carts called Cartlandia in downtown Portland, and said they may extend this to other food carts around the state. This is the first time in the state that outdoor venues have been awarded the right to sell alcohol.
The process of getting a liquor license for an outdoor venue is still challenging, as each applicant must meet requirements such as a designated consumption area and a permanent location, among other restrictions.
These rules were proposed last year but did not receive a good response from state legislators. This response made the OLCC revise their liquor, beer and wine plan before moving ahead. The issue continues to be shrouded in controversy, as many legislators and various store owners want different laws regarding alcohol in the state.
Oregon modifies liquor laws with new “pilot program” that makes hard alcohol more accessible
Daily Emerald
March 16, 2012
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