Which states are alcohol control states?
Alcoholic beverage control states that are generally called alcohol control states are 17 in the United States. This means that if you want to sell alcoholic beverages in these states besides the business license you should also apply for the Liquor license. Thirteen of them also control retail sales. To clarify, this means that the citizens of these states purchase alcohol at a state package store or designed agency outlet. The 17 states have been working to promote responsible moderation. So, here you can see the states: Arizona, Alabama, California, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland (But, only Montgomery and Worcester counties), Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming.
For example, Utah as a control state, believes that moderation can best be achieved by neither promoting nor encouraging the consumption of alcohol, but rather by controlling it.
Advantages of being a Liquor Control state
Being a member of a Liquor Control State has its advantages. For instance, in Utah as the taxes are high for the alcoholic beverage sales, the profits are transferred or investigated in the social or educational programs. Moreover, the income from the beer excise tax is distributed each year to cities, towns and counties to be used exclusively for programs and projects related to prevention, rehabilitation, detection and control. So, we may conclude that the control systems promote reduced alcohol consumption. Moreover, annual statistics shows that per capita consumption of alcohol beverages is significantly lower in control states.
The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association and rules for each state
Being a member of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association doesn’t mean that all states follow the same rules. Some states initially decided to continue their own prohibition against the production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages within their borders. Other states decided to leave the issue to local jurisdictions, including counties and cities.
So, you can find alcoholic beverage control rules for each state here.
Alabama — The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board licenses all manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers of alcoholic beverages.
Idaho — Maintains a monopoly over sales of beverages and provides control over the importation, distribution, sale, and consumption.
Iowa — Iowa alcoholic beverage division controls the sales of alcohol. To sell beer and wine you may with the license.
Maine — You can apply for the Liquor License to the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery and sell alcohol.
Michigan — State law allows local jurisdictions to control alcohol availability.
Mississippi — The state operates a monopoly for distribution of alcohol and you should obtain a license from the state to sell there.
Montana — you should apply for the license to the State Department of Revenue.
New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wyoming — you will need to have a Liquor License.
North Carolina — Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. Other spirits must be sold in liquor stores owned by local ABC boards.
Ohio — Contracts with private businesses to sell alcohol.
Utah, Virginia — All beverages are sold in state-run stores.
West Virginia — Does not operate retail outlets, but maintains a monopoly over wholesaling of distilled spirits only.
