Key Takeaways:
– Gov. Josh Shapiro was denied an alcoholic beverage due to lack of identification under the new Pennsylvania law.
– The law expanded access to canned cocktails at convenience stores and grocery stores, previously restricted under a Prohibition-era mandate.
– This incident has highlighted that even the governor must abide by the law requiring proper identification for alcohol purchases.
– Gov. Shapiro also seized this opportunity to call for the legalization of cannabis in Pennsylvania.
A Toast to New Laws
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) of Pennsylvania was possibly the first consumer denied an alcoholic beverage under the new law in the state. The law, which he signed himself, expanded access to canned cocktails, ironically turned out to be an obstacle for the governor’s own purchase.
On An Unusual Store Visit
Gov. Shapiro had made an appearance at a Rutter’s convenience store in Central Pennsylvania. The 51-year-old Democrat intended to celebrate the new law by buying some Philadelphia-based Surfside tea and vodka. However, due to a lack of proper identification, the governor ended up emphasizing that anyone, even a governor, needs to meet identification requirements to purchase alcohol.
It was reported and visually documented that the governor’s security detail had to step in and complete the purchase. This incident was an unexpected demonstration of how seriously the new law is being implemented.
Loosening Grip on Alcohol Sales
Before this change, under a Prohibition-era law, only state-run stores could sell ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. Local convenience stores and grocery stores were limited to selling only beer and wine.
The newly introduced legislation now permits the sale of up to 16-ounce ready-to-drink beverages containing up to 12.5 percent Alcohol by Volume (ABV). Interested stores, restaurants, hotels, and other outlets that sell beverages for off-premise consumption must apply for new permits to sell these products.
Gov. Shapiro used his visit to the convenience store to not only illustrate the importance of following this new law, but to also ignite a separate conversation – cannabis legalization.
Beyond Alcohol – A Clamor for Cannabis
The governor pointed out that Pennsylvania residents might be traveling out of state to buy cannabis. He emphasized that these purchases could and should be made within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
In line with these statements, he called for the legal validity of cannabis in Pennsylvania. This call for marijuana legalization adds another layer to the state’s effort to loosen its strict control over substance sales, following their move to expand access to alcoholic beverages.
A Glimpse of the Past
Multiple attempts have been made over the years to loosen Pennsylvania’s stringent regulations on alcohol sales. A notable incident was in 2015, when then-Gov. Tom Wolf (D) vetoed a bill intended to privatize the state’s liquor system. Undeterred, the lawmakers persisted in their efforts, leading to the current change in legislation.
In an earlier statement in August, Gov. Shapiro hailed the new liquor legislation as a true expression of freedom and a win for taxpayers and state workers alike. The recent incident at the Rutter’s store, while amusing, served as a reminder that the state still holds some control and everyone, from the common man to the governor himself, is expected to comply with state laws.