So, there i was standing in a Sheetz, waiting for my hot dog and onion rings, when i look over and see a little sign telling me that Sheetz wants to sell Alcohol and i should go online and sign a petition. I freely admit that Pennsylvania has some pretty odd and restrictive liquor laws, but that doesn't mean Pennsylvania should repeal the laws just so monopolies like Sheetz and Wegmans can further their own agenda.
In Pennsylvania, wine and hard liquor are only allowed to be sold in PLCB (Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board) controlled stores called Wine & Spirits. Although, restaurants and bars are allowed to serve wine and liquor but they have to buy their alcohol from the PLCB. If you buy alcohol from a Wine & Spirits store they put your info into the computer and make you sign a "Declaration of Age". One benefit is since its state run the prices are pretty cheap. Beer is a bit of a different story, you're allowed to buy beer from bars, restaurants and beer distributors.
All of It sounds pretty restrictive but if you go 5 miles in any direction you'll hit a Wine & Spirits store and beer distributor. The truth is, as long as you have an ID and you're over 21, you can get Alcohol with little or no hassle.
The truth is, as long as you have an ID and you're over 21, you can get Alcohol with little or no hassle.
That seems like a much ado about nothing to me. People and businesses should be able to buy alcohol if they want to, and not have red tape in the way. It would make for much more competetive distribution, and would mean the price of the booze would remain low. Here in the UK, all the big chains sell booze, and it isn't a massive problem. They don't dominate the industry because corner shops sell cheaper, albeit fairly repulsive stuff. For those of us with a tad more class, any off license sells a good selection. All they need is a permit to sell booze, which are farily easy to obtain.
That said, the US has always been more restrictive when it comes to booze, so if it seems to work for you guys, then don't change it. I guess I should also consider how little competition policy there is in America, and so the bigger chains would have more of a negative impact than over here in the UK.
so if it seems to work for you guys, then don't change it.
Exactly, I just don't see the need to change to accommodate big gas station/convenience store chains when they're the only ones complaining about it. Although, I do see their point of view. The laws do seem pretty unfair, considering most states are a lot less restrictive when it comes to selling alcohol. Alcohol revenue in Pennsylvania is around 15 billion annually. You can't really blame them for wanting a piece of the pie.
Personally i live in PA. I understand them wanting money but still a gas station. Are we not above that. Seriously? I wouldn't want to walk into the gas station two blocks away from my house and see liquor there and all that stuff. In fact why isn't beer the same as all the other things. I've really never had to experience PA. liquor stores though. Whenever my parents or anybody in my family needs that stuff we go to Maryland were th laws are less harsh. that's only because we live five miles from Maryland though. To me it's not a big deal.
This sounds more like a corrupt government than anything else. It's obvious they don't care about people getting too much alcohol as long as they get the money for it. I think it's worse the government forces all consumed alcohol to go through them rather than companies being able to buy it from third party distributors.
Thats pretty wierd but I think the Declaration of Age is smart because if you sign it and your under 21 and they catch you is illegal because you signed the paper and drank under 21.
In Missouri if you are supervised in your own home by your parent/guardian you can get as drunk as a skunk as long as you don't leave your property and age means nothing. Take that you Penns!
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